Banner Image

World-first study to improve glaucoma management

Professor Allison McKendrick standing in front of a large screen, presenting to a room of optometry students (not visible in the image).

Professor Allison McKendrick

Accurate prediction of whether a patient is likely to have progressing vision loss from their glaucoma is vital to ensure that people who need more aggressive treatment are identified early, potentially saving vision. A new large scale clinical trial of customised visual field testing has commenced at the Lions Eye Institute.

World-first clinical trial

The world-first clinical trial, headed up by Professor Allison McKendrick and Dr Vanessa Tang, has recruited 65 people with glaucoma to date. “Potentially suitable participants are being introduced to the study by their consultant ophthalmologist. At this stage both Professor Bill Morgan and Dr Geoff Chan are actively collaborating in the project and involved in recruiting participants, who are then put into contact with Dr Tang or myself to find out about the study,” said Professor McKendrick.

Patient Jane sitting in a clinic consult room, smiling at the camera.

Jane, patient of Professor Bill Morgan and clinical trial participant

Participants will be assessed every four months over three years, during their routine glaucoma management visits to the Lions Eye Institute in Nedlands. The assessment will involve two tests. The first is a personalised visual field test. Professor McKendrick said the team will use different placement of test points to avoid retesting locations that are already severely damaged and unlikely to change further. Instead they will test new areas along the borders of these regions. “We are implementing the tests on a new form of visual field testing machine that compensates for any eye movements made during the test. This technology improves the confidence with which we know that the same locations are being tested from one visit to the next,” she said.

Dr Vanessa Tang in a clinic room, explaining to a patient about an eye assessment.

Dr Vanessa Tang and Jane during a recent assessment

The second test involves ocular coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) imaging to measure blood flow at the back of the eye, in addition to structural scans of the eye. “We plan to combine the imaging and novel visual field data using computational techniques to be able to improve identification of worsening damage.”

Participants critical to success

Participants will also take part in one additional baseline visit at the beginning of the study. “The study was designed alongside standard appointments to minimise inconvenience for participants and encourage involvement,” said Professor McKendrick. “Participation in the study is entirely voluntary, however it is imperative to the integrity and progress of our research. Without the cooperation of willing participants, we can’t improve on current tests for glaucoma,” she said.

Read more about the research behind the clinical trial that is revolutionising the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.

Need any help?

If you would like to know more about us, or want to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Request an appointment