Genetic and functional insights into the human fovea
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genetic and functional insights into the human fovea
IRAS ID
278995
Contact name
Stacey Body
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 4 months, 0 days
Research summary
The fovea is a specialised area at the centre of the retina, the tissue lining the back of our eyes. Despite being less than 1.5 mm in diameter, it is responsible for most of our visual function, including reading and face recognition.
Advanced imaging technologies allow us to assess the structure of the fovea in detail, and previous studies have highlighted that the appearance of the fovea differs significantly among individuals in the general population. We do not know what causes this variation and what implications it has for vision. This Wellcome Trust funded project will address this gap in knowledge.
We will perform a set of eye tests (including detailed imaging) to study the foveal appearance in healthy volunteers and people with reduced vision (including individuals with albinism and/or nystagmus). We will also perform laboratory experiments on retinal cells derived from the blood samples of selected study participants. Recruitment for this study will be at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and at the University of Manchester.
This work will help us understand how the fovea is built and when changes in foveal structure cause reduced vision. We expect this project to inform new treatments for diseases affecting the fovea including albinism and age-related macular degeneration.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0336
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion