CompletedInterventional

Community care for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that can lead to vision loss if not treated. Many people receive regular eye injections at hospital clinics to manage it. Over time, the condition can become stable or 'inactive', meaning injections can pause. However, patients still need monthly check-ups to make sure fluid has not returned. Hospital eye clinics are currently very busy. This clinical trial explores whether specially trained high street opticians can safely carry out these monthly check-ups closer to home. Half of the participants will continue their regular hospital visits, while the other half will visit an approved local optician. Moorfields Eye Hospital is leading the study to see if community care is just as safe, saves the NHS money, and gives patients a more comfortable experience without long journeys.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

704

Start

01 Jun 2019

Estimated completion

30 Jan 2023

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration

What is this study about?

Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) affects the macula, the central part of the eye responsible for clear, detailed vision. To protect sight, people typically attend hospital clinics for regular tests and injections into the eye. For many people, the condition eventually enters a calm or 'inactive' stage where injections are no longer needed right away. Even so, frequent monitoring is still essential because flare-ups can happen quickly.

Attending monthly hospital appointments can be tiring and time-consuming, especially for people who need to arrange transport or travel with family. At the same time, NHS eye clinics face significant pressure with growing waiting lists. This study investigates whether routine monitoring can be moved from busy hospitals into local community opticians, offering high-quality care closer to where people live.

The trial is designed to test whether trained community opticians can detect any changes in your eyes just as accurately as hospital teams. Specialists at Moorfields Eye Hospital will also review tests to ensure patient safety. If successful, this approach could reduce hospital congestion, make eye checks far more convenient for patients, and help the NHS use its resources wisely.

Key takeaways

Tests whether routine wet AMD checks can safely happen at high street opticians instead of hospitals.
Open to adults aged 55 and over whose wet AMD is currently calm and not needing injections.
Participants are randomly assigned to either regular hospital care or visits at a local optician.
No new medicines or experimental treatments are tested during this study.
Taking part is completely voluntary and aims to make check-ups easier and closer to home.

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you are 55 or older and have wet AMD that is currently inactive. This means you have previously attended an eye injection clinic, but your eye is stable right now and does not require active treatment. You must also be able to attend the appointments and complete standard eye tests.

You will not be able to participate if you have other eye conditions that stop doctors from getting clear images of the back of your eye, such as severe cataracts or cloudiness inside the eye. People with advanced diabetic eye disease or other uncommon causes of abnormal eye blood vessels are also not eligible.

Your eye doctor can check your medical notes and scans to help you find out if you qualify.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 55 or older.
I have been diagnosed with wet AMD in at least one eye.
My eye condition is currently stable and I do not need injections right now.
I do not have severe cataracts or cloudy eye fluids that prevent clear eye photographs.
I do not have advanced diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy).

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part, you will be placed into one of two groups by chance (similar to flipping a coin). One group will keep having their monthly monitoring visits at their regular hospital eye clinic. The other group will have their monthly visits at an approved local optician practice.

During each visit, your vision will be tested and special photographic scans will be taken of the back of your eye. No experimental drugs are given during the trial. If your tests show that your wet AMD has become active again, you will be referred back to the hospital immediately for treatment. The trial has been taking place across England and monitors participants over several months to compare safety and convenience between the two settings.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit is having your routine eye appointments closer to home with a local optician, saving you travel time and avoiding busy hospital waiting rooms. There are no known medical risks to taking part, as trained professionals perform all regular scans and safety checks are reviewed by experts at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Taking part is completely voluntary, and you are free to leave the study at any time without it affecting your standard NHS care.

Locations (6)

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, England
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Approximate
Manchester, England
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Leeds, England
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Bradford, England
York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
York, England
Bristol University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Bristol, England

Common questions

What happens if my condition flares up during the study?

If the local optician spots any signs that your condition is active again, you will be quickly referred back to your hospital eye clinic to receive standard treatment.

Are the local opticians qualified to check my eyes?

Yes. All participating community opticians receive specialist training for this study, and their assessments are backed up by quality checks from hospital experts.

Do I have to pay to see the local optician for these study visits?

No. All appointments and eye tests related to the clinical trial are provided free of charge through the NHS.

Can I choose whether I go to the hospital or the local optician?

No. To make the trial fair and accurate, a computer places participants into either the hospital group or the local optician group by chance.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes. You can withdraw from the study at any point without giving a reason, and you will return to your standard hospital care.

How to find out more

Moorfields Research Admin

Moorfields.resadmin@nhs.net +44 (0) 207 566 2815 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.