Researchers at University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and the University of Oxford are developing magnetic implants to treat nystagmus. Last year, Nystagmus Network assisted Dr Parashkev Nachev, from University College London, in recruiting suitable candidates with the acquired from of nystagmus to take part in the next stage trial, following initial success with a single subject.
Read the full update here.
A pilot randomised study, led by Maria Theodorou FRCOphth, PhD at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, funded by the Nystagmus Network/Fight for Sight, Moorfields Eye Hospital Special Trustees and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), has shown that wearing soft contact lenses may help people with CIN see a little better.
The purpose of the study was to see whether soft contact lenses could improve vision more than glasses and whether soft lenses were as effective as rigid ones.
38 adult volunteers with CIN wore soft contact lenses (randomly with and without corrective prescription) for 2 weeks. Observations were made around the ease and safety of wear as well as any effect on visual acuity and nystagmus waveform.
27 people successfully completed the trial, a small number having found soft contact lenses difficult to get in and out of the eye or uncomfortable to wear. On the whole, the lenses were tolerated well and a trend was identified towards an improvement in visual function after the 2 weeks.
Fight for Sight, the UK’s leading eye research charity, and Nystagmus Network, the foremost charity in the UK providing support and information about nystagmus, are working in partnership to fund research into a complex condition characterised by repeated involuntary movement of the eyes. Through the partnership, two research projects into nystagmus have been awarded.
Dr Lee Mcilreavy from Cardiff University will use the funding from Fight for Sight and the Nystagmus Network to determine whether a novel eye tracking approach can correctly identify the patterns of eye movement made by those with infantile nystagmus. This study could lead to a simple and child-friendly eye tracking test that does not rely on expensive technology. This has the potential to detect the condition earlier and allow children and families to receive an earlier diagnosis.
Dr Helen Griffiths, at the University of Sheffield, has been awarded funding to develop an image stabilisation technology in virtual reality (VR) to treat a troubling symptom called oscillopsia, where the individual perceives the world in a continuous and erratic motion due to involuntary movements of the eyes. She will work towards stabilising images on the retina in individuals with acquired nystagmus. A VR headset with integrated head tracking will be configured to track the direction of gaze. This data will be used to adjust the VR display in real time so that a stable view is projected onto the retina of the user, independent of eye orientation. For as long as the user wears the headset, the observed image will be stable. This alternative solution will offer relief to those who have this form of nystagmus.
Michele Acton, CEO of Fight for Sight, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Nystagmus Network to fund research into this complex eye condition. Both research projects have the potential to positively impact the lives of those living with nystagmus. Only by funding research will we begin to tackle nystagmus.
”Vivien Jones, President of the Nystagmus Network and Chair of the Nystagmus Network Research Sub-committee, said: “It is a pleasure to join with Fight for Sight in making this award to Cardiff University for their plan to develop a means of diagnosing infantile nystagmus in the community setting. We hope that this award will mean the plan can be brought to fruition with all the benefits this will bring to families in terms of more accessible diagnosis.
We are also delighted to join Fight for Sight to fund a project developed by the University of Sheffield to deal with one of the most distressing symptoms that can go with acquired nystagmus – oscillopsia, where the individual perceives the world in constant motion. Sheffield propose that a way of offering relief from this is through stabilisation of the image on the retina by developing image stabilisation technology in virtual reality (VR). This would be a major breakthrough for those who acquire nystagmus in later life, and who suffer from oscillopsia.”
The Nystagmus Network often hears of people struggling with the current classifications for vision impairment in sports. Since many people with nystagmus probably don’t classify with the current test we would like to invite members of the nystagmus community to take part in new research which may bring us all one step closer to inclusion in major competition.If you would like to be involved in research into classification with the IPC, please read on …
Jamie Fuller, founder of the Outspan Rebels VI ski team, has been in touch with the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) team involved in the research to adapt the way classification is done or the parameters measured.
Hikmat Subhi is leading a UK team in Cambridge, whilst another team in Canada is focusing particularly on skiing.
To take part, please contact Hikmat directly. Email at [email protected] or call 01233 698070.
Important note from the classification research team:
“We do classification research, but are independent from classifiers. So it’s important to say that people who take part receive no advantage in future classification, just as those who don’t take part would not be disadvantaged. This project is separate from what is happening for skiing, so it won’t directly change classification in skiing, though hopefully it will improve the way that the visual field is measured during classification for skiing. “
Albinism researchers in Southampton (Jay Self and Helena Lee) would love to hear from anyone with any form of albinism who is over the age of 60. If you or anyone you know fits the bill, please read on …
Jay and Helena are seeking to understand two questions which have baffled researchers for some time and they need your help:
1. Why has Albinism and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) never been seen in the same patient when AMD affects 1/3 of people over 75? Are people with Albinism protected from this condition?
2. Why does the retina lose function late in older animals with Albinism, but apparently not in humans?
If anyone with Albinism, who is over the age of 60, would like to help Jay and Helena find answers to these questions, please complete the form below. Thank you.
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The Nystagmus Network was privileged and proud to be joined at Open Day 2017 on 30 September by representatives from the 6 UK centres of excellence in nystagmus research.
Each team presented news of the latest developments over the past year and highlighted work in progress for the future.
Mr Jay Self BM, FRCOphth, PhD, Associate Professor at Southampton University and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Southampton General Hospital, joined by his colleague, Dr Helena Lee, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Ophthalmology at the University of Southampton, delivered this presentation.
The Nystagmus Network was privileged and proud to be joined at Open Day 2017 on 30 September by representatives from the 6 UK centres of excellence in nystagmus research.
Each team presented news of the latest developments over the past year and highlighted work in progress for the future.
