Peripheral vision in adults with early-onset central field defects 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The peripheral visual field of adults with early-onset central field defects
IRAS ID
271715
Contact name
Aishah Baig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 26 days
Research summary
Research question: Do adults with central vision loss from a young age, have a larger peripheral field of vision, compared to an age and gender-matched group with normal central vision?
Current research suggests that the visual parts of the brain can be rewired to enhance peripheral vision in those who lose their hearing early in life. Individuals without impairments have also been found to have enhanced peripheral and spatial vision by playing video games for example. It seems that the brain adapts to the different demands on eyesight in these individuals by enhancing their peripheral vision. This study aims to investigate whether similar enhancements are made in people who lose their central vision early in life.
This research will help develop current understanding of visual changes and adaptations in the brain of those with central vision loss from a young age. Research is ongoing into the investigation of treatments that aim to restore sight in such conditions. These treatments rely on the theory that the visual parts of the brain remain unchanged in these individuals. Enhanced peripheral vision could indicate rewiring, which may then hinder the success of these treatments. Additionally, if enhanced peripheral vision is found, these results could indicate an abnormality if a typically normal visual field is found in practice in these patients.
The study will require 10 participants with central vision loss from a young age and 10 age and gender-matched participants with normal vision. Participants will be recruited from Nottinghamshire and East Midlands. All participants will attend once at the Queens Medical Centre to perform a Goldmann visual field test. The results of this test will allow the peripheral field of vision of both groups to be compared. This research project is expected to be completed in August 2020 and is not funded.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
19/WS/0170
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion