Quality of Life Measures in Patients With Retinal Degeneration

Completed

Interventions: Other: Questionnaire
Other: Computerised contrast sensitivity function test

Brief Summary: Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) is a major cause of blindness and partial loss of vision cases in the UK and starts at an early age. The purpose of this observational study is to use the results of two questionnaires and a computerised test testing contrast sensitivity, to assess the impact of IRD on quality of life. This study will involve collecting data from patients with IRD, but also collecting data from normal controls.

Detailed Description: IRD presents a significant burden on the NHS as well as on the individual and families. IRDs are particularly difficult in a family situation due to guilt and other complex emotions related to inheritance patterns. Poorer mental health has been reported in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, manifesting in a range of ways including stress, depression and anxiety, particularly as the disease progresses. This is most probably caused by the uncertainty of the disease process and the progressive nature of the degeneration.

Recent work has reported that quality of life significantly deteriorates with a drop in visual field diameter of 20 degrees or a drop in visual acuity lower then LogMAR 0.3 (equivalent to 6/12). Contrast sensitivity is often used in conjunction with VA to assess visual capabilities. It is a measure of the ability to see reduced contrast and has a major impact on utility of vision. Relating contrast sensitivity function to quality of life will provide valuable information about whether this aspect of vision is a critical measure for patient health. This is especially important as novel treatments are being developed for the treatment of IRDs.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Participant is willing & able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
Male or female, aged 18 - 85.
A clinical or genetic diagnosis of retinal degeneration or normal age and sex-matched controls without known retinal disease.
Able to participate in visual function testing.

Exclusion Criteria

The participant may not enter the study if any of the following apply:
- 1. they have a pre-existing amblyopia or squint;
- 1. they have any other retinal problems that may confound the measures assessed.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Normal controls	Computerised contrast sensitivity function test	Normal controls recruited by advertising will answer two questionnaires and undergo a computerised test that assess contrast sensitivity function.
Patients	Questionnaire	Patients with inherited retinal degeneration will answer two questionnaires and undergo a computerised contrast sensitivity function test.
Patients	Computerised contrast sensitivity function test	Patients with inherited retinal degeneration will answer two questionnaires and undergo a computerised contrast sensitivity function test.
Normal controls	Questionnaire	Normal controls recruited by advertising will answer two questionnaires and undergo a computerised test that assess contrast sensitivity function.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Impact of inherited retinal degeneration on quality of life measures.	May 2016 to May 2017	This will be assessed by comparing questionnaire results between different inherited retinal degeneration types.This will be determined by using ANOVA testing to compare scores caused by different genetic mutations, allowing us to relate mutations causing central versus peripheral visual loss to the quality of life measures.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Effect of contrast sensitivity function on quality of life.	May 2016 to May 2017	Contrast sensitivity function will be related to the questionnaire results using ANOVA testing \& correlation analysis.

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