Does near and distance visual acuity differ during amblyopia therapy?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do the changes in visual acuity in children undergoing amblyopia therapy differ at near and distance?
IRAS ID
194522
Contact name
Gemma Arblaster
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Amblyopia is a condition in which one eye does not see to a normal level, despite wearing any necessary glasses. Vision is tested in each eye in children to diagnose amblyopia at a treatable age. Treatment is most effective before the age of 7 and involves children using an eye patch or eye drops to encourage the use of the weaker eye so that vision can improve.
To diagnose amblyopia and measure the response to amblyopia treatment, vision tests designed for children are used. Traditionally vision is measured at distance, however near vision tests also exist. Vision is increasingly measured at near and distance in children undergoing amblyopia treatment as there is a clinical impression that both measurements are important and that near vision may improve quicker during amblyopia treatment. Current research hasn't yet determined how vision measurements at near and distance compare during, and at the end of, amblyopia treatment.
Children with amblyopia seen at Leeds Teaching Hospitals routinely have their vision measured in each eye at near and distance and are monitored every 6 weeks whilst undergoing amblyopia treatment. The total duration of amblyopia treatment varies between children, but typically lasts for several months. Children with amblyopia who have chosen patching treatment (rather than eye drops) will be invited to take part in the study. No aspect of amblyopia treatment will change if individuals choose to participate in the study.
This study will measure and analyse changes in vision at near and distance during, and at the end of, amblyopia treatment. The results will give clinicians treating amblyopia a better understanding of the vision outcomes from patching treatment. This will help them select the most useful vision tests to measure vision accurately in children having amblyopia treatment in the future.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0062
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion