Take part in a lens implant trial

Magnifying telescopic lens implants, called intraocular telescopes, have been available privately for a number of years for late stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, there is a lack of evidence on how safe they are and how well they help improve vision and quality of life.

The OriLens intraocular telescope is a few millimetres in diameter and provides approximately x2.5 magnification onto the macula. The MIRROR clinical trial is aiming to assess the benefits of the OriLens for those with late stage AMD and is looking for patients to take part.

Volunteers for the trial need to have late stage AMD in both eyes (wet or dry) and not have needed treatment in the last 12 months. Volunteers also need to have had cataract surgery in both eyes. Anyone who has had injections for wet AMD in the last year would not be eligible.

Anyone who wishes to be considered for the trial needs to complete a short pre-screening questionnaire. This questionnaire needs to be signed by a health professional, such as an optician, optometrist, low vision clinic, ophthalmologist or GP. It then needs to be sent to your nearest participating hospital. Currently, a hospital in Belfast is taking part in the trial, but nine other hospitals across the UK are due to join in 2018.

The 132 people who will take part in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Group 1: Participants will have the OriLens placed in the eye via an operation. They will then be tested for new glasses and provided with any necessary supplementary glasses and low vision aids. They will also have three sessions of low vision training.

Group 2: Participants will be tested for new glasses, be provided with appropriate glasses and low vision aids, and will have three sessions of low vision training.

The pre-screening questionnaire is no longer available.

Please return your completed pre-screening questionnaire to your nearest site. Details of sites currently recruiting are listed below;

Belfast
MIRROR Trial
Ophthalmic Research Suite
Ward 27
Eye and Ear Clinic