Central Middlesex leads on national eye study
Eye specialists at Central Middlesex Hospital are at the forefront of a research project that will revolutionise eye care for patients with sickle cell disease.
More than 600 patients are taking part in the study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
It involves a network of 18 participating centres around the UK in the first multi-centre study of its kind on sickle cell eye disease in the country.
The hospital’s ophthalmology team has been working in partnership with sickle cell patients to co-design the study to better understand the impact of sickle cell disease on eyesight and provide evidence to support better care across the country.
In addition to patient data, the study has gathered thousands of retinal images creating a database that will support deeper understanding of eye disease in sickle cell disease and better inform prevention efforts.
It also highlights an enhanced working relationship between ophthalmologists and haematologists keen to pool their expertise.
Central Middlesex Hospital serves a local population with one of the highest incidences of sickle cell disease in the UK.