Early Versus Delayed Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Peel
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early Versus Delayed Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Peel - A Case Control Study.
IRAS ID
252256
Contact name
Kurt Spiteri Cornish
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
An Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a retinal condition, where a thin fibrous layer forms over the surface of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for the finest central vision.
Symptoms experienced by patients can vary from being relatively asymptomatic to central distortion (metamorphopsia) and reduction in central visual acuity, the extent of each of these symptoms can vary in severity and often the degree of each symptom doesn’t correlate.
Surgical ERM peel is the only treatment for ERM and is offered to patients who are symptomatic and have visual symptoms, but clinically the visual acuity (VA) is the main driver for listing patients for surgical intervention. Visual distortion on the other hand is not routinely measured preoperatively and if patients suffer with visual distortion but have preserved VA, they will be overlooked regarding surgery as there is limited evidence to support operating in such cases.This study aims to provide more evidence for when to offer surgery. There is no clinical definition for early ERM, we will use the extent of preoperative VA disruption to subdivide intervention groups, patients will be divided into an early intervention group (preserved VA, 6/12 and better) and a late intervention group (effected VA, worse than 6/12).
Metamorphopsia will be measured quantitatively pre and post operatively (M Chart) as will Quality of life (QOL) via questionnaire scores. These results will be analysed to assess for any correlations.As a secondary outcome measure anatomical change will be reviewed, as imaging is becoming more sophisticated, often the anatomical changes can be seen on imaging before clinical exam. We would like to correlate anatomical changes with patient visual function and quality of life outcomes. We will perform Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to assess anatomical structure.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0220
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion