Treatment of Advanced Glaucoma Study (TAGS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treatment of Advanced Glaucoma Study (TAGS): A multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing primary medical treatment with primary augmented trabeculectomy for people with newly diagnosed advanced glaucoma
IRAS ID
137840
Contact name
Anthony King
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University NHS Trust
Research summary
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that occurs when fluid pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) is too high.
Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, although one may have more severe disease than the other. Glaucoma is very common; approximately 2% of the UK population over the age of 40 are affected. This rate increases as people get older and as many as 10% of those in their 80s are affected. An aging population means that presentation with advanced glaucoma is likely to become more common in future. In addition patients are living longer following diagnosis and are therefore likely to live longer with their risk of blindness, disability and the resource requirements to support their disability. Glaucoma is the second commonest cause for registration as visually impaired in the UK. People with advanced glaucoma (those who have more severe visual field loss) have an increased risk of further progression and blindness.
Glaucoma is treated by using eye drops (medical) or by an operation (surgery) to lower eye pressure.
The two methods of lowering eye pressure being investigated in the TAGS study are:
• An operation called a trabeculectomy. This creates a small hole in the eye which lowers the eye pressure,
• Medical care which may require up to four different eye drops to be used.
The success of the interventions will be judged by the participants’ report of vision specific health at 24 months after joining the study. Other outcomes include clinical outcomes, participants’ quality of life, adverse effects and the use of health services. Identifying the treatment most likely to prevent blindness in patients presenting with advanced glaucoma will minimise patient disability.
Subject to additional funding, we intend to evaluate patient health and clinical outcomes in the longer-term (up to 10 years).REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0395
Date of REC Opinion
12 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion