Microperimetry Changes in Retinal Function in Macular Disorders

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to measure precisely how sensitive the central part of the retina - the light-sensitive film at the back of the eye, is to light. We will use a special device called the Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) microperimetry (MP) system to achieve this, particularly for individuals with specific retinal conditions. The macula (with the fovea at its very centre) is the part of the retina responsible for our fine detailed vision, colour vision, and maintaining steady gaze on objects (called 'fixation'). Diseases that affect the macula lead to difficulties in seeing clearly. Macular sensitivity refers to how responsive the macula is to light, including the ability to read and focus on objects. This also determines how well the eye can maintain a steady gaze on objects of interest ('fixation'). While standard eye tests primarily measure vision in the fovea, measuring sensitivity across the wider macula would provide a more complete picture of visual function. Furthermore, we believe that macular sensitivity changes are often one of the earliest signs of retinal diseases, before a person experiences blurry vision. Currently, MP is not used routinely in UK NHS clinical practice. The commonest retinal diseases are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet. * Dry AMD is a condition that affects the central part of the retina (the macula) and can lead to gradual vision loss as people age. This is due to wearing out and loss of the slight sensitive cells in the macula that can make it harder to see fine details, such as reading or recognizing faces. * Diabetic retinopathy means that diabetes has affected the blood vessels in the retina. In the early stages, the affected blood vessels do not leak. However, progression results in leakage of the blood vessels in the retina, leading to retinal swelling (called diabetic macular oedema \[DMO\]). Eyes with DMO function less well compared to when there is no swelling. It is important to investigate these selected common conditions further, in order to find ways of detecting changes earlier, before the patient notices any abnormalities. Such earlier detection may result in better understanding and treatments in the future. The main goal of this research is to measure macular sensitivity and ability to maintain a steady gaze on specific objects or points in patients with these macular disorders using the MAIA device. These measurements will be compared to changes in the structure of the macula, obtained using advanced imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA), which are routinely used in standard clinical practice. This study will form part of a research/educational thesis, and provide additional data to complement previous research on the topic. Participants (after consent) will have MP done. In addition, we will assess information from their eye clinic records, including images and scans of the back of the eyes (OCT and OCTA). No treatment interventions are planned as part of this study. Participants standard of care will not be affected. Participants will have tests done at baseline, and repeated at 6 and 12 months. In addition, we will invite a group of normal controls (i.e. persons who do not have any diseases of the back of their eyes) for comparison. This will ensure validity of our findings. The normal controls will attend only once (at baseline). After consent is obtained, these healthy participants will have MP, and imaging of the macula with OCT.

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