Approximately 24,500 children and young people (CYP) in England have a visual impairment (VI). VI refers to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Low vision aids (e.g. magnifying glasses) can help CYP with a VI see more clearly. However, current low vision aids are not suitable for many of the activities CYP regularly engage in, such as watching TV or school lessons. SightPlus is an advanced head-mounted digital low vision aid for CYP and adults. SightPlus helps people with a VI use their remaining vision to see more clearly up close and at a distance. SightPlus was recently tested at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London with 60 adults with a VI. The results showed that adults could see more clearly while using SightPlus. The study proposed here aims to find out whether SightPlus can improve the vision and quality of life of CYP aged 8-16 years with a VI. For this study, 25 CYP will come to Sheffield Children's Hospital (SCH) for an 80-minute session with parents/guardians where they will have their vision tested, complete questionnaires measuring their vision-related quality of life and functional vision (i.e. what someone can see), and learn how to use SightPlus. CYP will then be asked to use SightPlus for four weeks. Parents/guardians will record the activities CYP use SightPlus for in a home diary. After four weeks, CYP and their parents/guardians will come back to SCH for a 90-minute session where they will have their vision tested with and without SightPlus, complete another vision-related quality of life and functional vision questionnaire, hand in their home diary, and complete a feedback form about their experiences of using SightPlus. This study will help us find out whether SightPlus can improve the vision and quality of life of CYP with a VI.
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Assess change in maximum reading speed in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in reading acuity in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in binocular visual acuity in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in near visual acuity in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in contrast sensitivity in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in facial expressions in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Perform test at first study visit (50 min duration), then let the patient use the SightPlus device for four weeks and then perform test again at the second study visit (70 min duration)
Assess change in vision-related quality of life in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Ask patients to complete the baseline questionnaire immediately after the first visit at home and to complete the post-trial questionnaire at home at end of the four week trial period (with the Sightplus device) and return this at the 2nd clinic visit
Assess change in functional vision in patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment
Timeframe: Ask patients to complete the baseline questionnaire immediately after the first visit at home and to complete the post-trial questionnaire at home at end of the four week Sightplus device trial period and return this at the 2nd clinic visit
Determine how and when patients aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe visual impairment use the SightPlus device
Timeframe: The home diary is completed by the patient at home during the four week trial of the SightPlus device when it is used. The home diary is returned during the second visit to the clinic
Determine usability and acceptability of Sightplus device
Timeframe: Patients and parents/carers will be given usability/acceptability feedback form to complete at home at the end of the four-week trial period. They will return this at the second clinic visit