Researchers from the University of Aberdeen are to recruit nearly 1,000 patients for a study on the most effective diagnostic test for glaucoma.
Three diagnostic technologies - Heidelberg retina tomograph, scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography will be compared in the study which will seek evidence on how to best to use these tests.
Commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme, the research is led by Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco: 'If one or more of the tests prove to be sufficiently accurate and easy to perform, people would not need to attend lengthy examinations in the hospital eye department in order to establish whether or not they have glaucoma. This would give ophthalmologists more time and resources to treat patients who do have eye diseases,' said Professor Azuara-Blanco.
The study will involve patients who have been referred by their optometrists with suspected glaucoma or who may be at risk of developing the disease. The team will evaluate the performance of these tests by identifying those who are most likely to have glaucoma and require treatment.
The centres involved are Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, St Paul's Eye Unit in Liverpool, Moorfields Hospital in London and Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust in Cambridgeshire.