YAG Laser for Vitreous Floaters- V.10.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
EFFECT OF YAG LASER VITREOLYSIS ON VITREOUS STRUCTURE AND VISUAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH VISION DEGRADING MYODESOPSIA SECONDARY TO MYOPIC VITREOPATHY OR POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT
IRAS ID
324015
Contact name
Paulo-Eduardo Stanga
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Retina Clinic London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Floaters are common and can affect vision, a condition termed “Vision Degrading Myodesopsia“. They are typically caused by degeneration of the vitreous humour, the gel-like liquid that fills the centre of the eye, and can be most problematic in two groups of people - those who are short-sighted and may have vitreous degeneration at a relatively young age (under 50 years of age, termed “myopic vitreopathy“), and those who are not short-sighted who typically have degeneration at an older age (over 50 years of age) associated with a posterior vitreous detachment (or PVD).\n\nThe only way to definitively remove floaters is to operate and remove the vitreous, however operations carry risks, which may be undesirable in the absence of other eye pathology necessitating surgery. An alternative treatment is to use Nd:YAG laser, which can break up floaters in the vitreous, thereby reducing symptoms. Studies that have evaluated Nd:YAG laser are lacking and have mainly focused on symptoms. No studies have intentionally looked at the effect of Nd:YAG laser on location and density of floaters measured with eye scans before and after treatment, and compared these to changes in symptoms.\n\nThe aim of the study is to determine the safety and efficacy of Nd:YAG laser treatment on floaters in vision - measured as the severity of symptoms (by questionnaires), and the amount and location of floaters (by ultrasound and scans of the eye) - before and after laser treatment, with follow up of up to 1 year to determine both short and medium term effects. We will aim to recruit patients with symptomatic floaters due to myopic vitreopathy, or PVD.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0077
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion