Clinical Research Directory

Performance Evaluation of the OCUTOP Hand-held Corneal Topographer

The OCUTOP is a new hand-held camera that photographs the front of the eye to map the shape of the cornea and to assess the tear film. Before it can be used in eye care it must be compared with the instruments that clinics already use. In this study, adults attending one of two UK eye clinics for an ordinary appointment are invited to have both eyes measured once with the OCUTOP and with the clinic's usual instruments, in a random order, and to complete two short questionnaires. The visit adds about 30 minutes; nothing is put in the eye and no treatment is given. The study measures how closely the OCUTOP agrees with the reference instruments for corneal curvature, tear break-up time and tear meniscus height, how repeatable it is, how often it produces usable images, how acceptable participants and clinicians find it, and whether any adverse events occur.

The Effect of Upper Blepharoplasty on Vision Quality in the Early Postoperative Period

Contrast sensitivity (CS) and tear film (TF) changes are noted in late postoperative period after upper blepharoplasty (UB), while the same was rarely investigated in the early postoperative period. The reason for aforementioned improvement of vision quality is unclear. Suggested explanations include changes in higher-order aberrations, elimination of the overlay effect created by excess skin on the upper eyelids and/or eyelashes directed toward the eyelid, or changes in corneal topography (CT) and keratometry. Furthermore, there is no consensus on the best technique for UB. Due not only to different surgical techniques, but also to different methods of measuring the tear film quality, it is very difficult to quantify the aforementioned studies. While changes in tear volume parameters and changes in tear film (TF) rupture have been investigated in detail, changes in the lipid layer have rarely been investigated. According to previous studies, there are different findings about changes in CT after UB. The aim of the research is to determine whether there are anatomical (CT) and functional (TF and CS) changes in subjects with functional dermatochalasis before the procedure and in a month-long postoperative period. The research is conducted on examinees diagnosed by clinical examination with functional dermatochalasis with the exclusion of examinees with ocular or systemic conditions affecting TF, best corrected visual acuity or CT. Detailed medical history and ophthalmologic examination will be performed with grading of the external appearance of the upper eyelids. All diseases and conditions that can lead to changes in CS, TF or corneal defects will be noted. Preoperatively all subjects will have CS recorded in photopic conditions, TF analysis and CT (Keratograph 5M, OCULUS Optikgeraete GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). UB will be performed in the operating room at the UED. At first (seven days postoperatively) and second (one month postoperative) check-up a CS check will be performed at the UED and TF analysis and CT at Lens LTD.