Current Vision Studies
Term-born adults, ages 18-35 years old
Study 1: Electroretinograms using the Espion and the RETeval
The purpose of this study is to learn about the way the retina (the back of the eye) adapts to dark conditions. Those who are in good general health, were born at full term (no more than three weeks before due date), and have good vision (with or without glasses or contact lenses) may be eligible to participate.
The main part of the study is an electroretinogram (ERG). This test can tell us about the function of the cells that detect light in your eye. The ERG takes place in the dark and involves watching a series of lights flashed inside a dome above the head. Before the ERG, we will dilate the eyes, using the same drops used at regular eye exams. In addition to the ERG, we will measure visual acuity, measure refractive error (glasses prescription), examine the eyes, and take digital photographs of the back of the eyes. This session would take about two hours to complete.
In addition, you may participate in an additional session where we will complete the ERG test with a handheld ERG device, the RETeval. This additional session would not require dilation and would take about one hour to complete.
The testing takes place at Boston Children’s Hospital, located at 300 Longwood Avenue in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston. Parking is available across the street, and we are easily accessible by MBTA. At the end of the research appointment, you will receive a token payment and a voucher for free parking in the hospital garage. Participation is voluntary, and it will not affect future care at Boston Children’s Hospital if you choose not to participate.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
The purpose of this study is to learn about the way the retina (the back of the eye) adapts to dark conditions. Those who are in good general health, were born at full term (no more than three weeks before due date), and have good vision (with or without glasses or contact lenses) may be eligible to participate.
The main part of the study is an electroretinogram (ERG). This test can tell us about the function of the cells that detect light in your eye. The ERG takes place in the dark and involves watching a series of lights flashed inside a dome above the head. Before the ERG, we will dilate the eyes, using the same drops used at regular eye exams. In addition to the ERG, we will measure visual acuity, measure refractive error (glasses prescription), examine the eyes, and take digital photographs of the back of the eyes. This session would take about two hours to complete.
In addition, you may participate in an additional session where we will complete the ERG test with a handheld ERG device, the RETeval. This additional session would not require dilation and would take about one hour to complete.
The testing takes place at Boston Children’s Hospital, located at 300 Longwood Avenue in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston. Parking is available across the street, and we are easily accessible by MBTA. At the end of the research appointment, you will receive a token payment and a voucher for free parking in the hospital garage. Participation is voluntary, and it will not affect future care at Boston Children’s Hospital if you choose not to participate.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
Study 2: Assessment of Photopic Retinal Function with Multi-focal Electroretinography (mfERG)
In this study, we are investigating the vision of healthy adults who were born full-term in order to use as a comparison with patients who were born preterm or have a heritable retinal disorder.
The study will involve one visit, in which you would have your visual acuity tested by reading a letter chart.
We will then use an autorefractor to measure your need for corrective lenses. Following this, an ophthalmologist will briefly examine your eyes. We will then begin the multi-focal electroretinogram (mfERG).
Dilating drops, like those used routinely for eye exams, will be administered to enlarge the pupils. After the pupil has dilated, which takes about 30 minutes, anesthetic drops will be placed in one eye and a contact lens electrode placed on the surface of that eye. You will view a video screen and the retinal responses to flickering patches of light will be recorded.
Risks involved in this study are the momentary discomfort of dilating drops and the drops used to anesthetize the eye, an unlikely allergy to the drops, and the possibility of scraping (abrading) the surface of the eye with the contact electrode. With the precautions that we take, the risk of abrasion is very low, and none of the participants in our prior ERG research studies have had a corneal abrasion. If an abrasion develops, we will treat it promptly and follow up until it is resolved. Also, your eyes will be sensitive to light and your vision will be blurry for a few hours.
Participation in this research will be of no direct benefit to you, but we hope that the data obtained will lead to a better understanding of vision in children who were born prematurely or have a heritable retinal disorder.
The entire session is expected to take less than 2 hours. The actual mfERG recording time is about 20-30 minutes. To thank you for your time, we will provide you with a token payment and a parking voucher for the Boston Children's Hospital garage.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
Study 3: Retinal Imaging of Ocular Conditions
For this study, we are using optical scans to generate highly detailed images of the retina. The retina is the thin tissue in the back of the eye.
Our previous research has indicated that some individuals with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have alterations in retinal function and anatomy compared to individuals born at term.
The study visit will begin by testing your visual acuity by reading a letter chart. We will then use an autorefractor to measure your need for corrective lenses. Following this, an ophthalmologist will briefly examine your eyes. We will then take a few pictures of your eyes using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Photography. All of these preliminary components are typical of a clinical visit.
Dilating drops, like those used routinely for eye exams, will be administered to enlarge the pupils. After the pupil has dilated, which takes about 30 minutes, we will begin the main portion of the study. We will take a series of retinal scans of your eyes while you sit and look forward at a fixation target. During the retinal imaging, it is important to sustain attention and keep the eyes still, but you can take periodic breaks. The scans are completely non-invasive and nothing touches the eyes.
Risks involved in this study are the momentary discomfort of dilating drops and unlikely allergy to the drops. Also, your vision will be blurry and your eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours.
All research procedures are typically completed in one session of 2-3 hours, but we may request a follow up visit of 1-2 hours. To thank you for your time, for each session we will provide you with a token payment and a parking voucher for the Boston Children's Hospital garage.
Participation in this research will be of no direct benefit to you, but we hope that the data obtained will lead to a better understanding of vision in children who were born prematurely or have a heritable retinal disorder.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
For this study, we are using optical scans to generate highly detailed images of the retina. The retina is the thin tissue in the back of the eye.
Our previous research has indicated that some individuals with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have alterations in retinal function and anatomy compared to individuals born at term.
The study visit will begin by testing your visual acuity by reading a letter chart. We will then use an autorefractor to measure your need for corrective lenses. Following this, an ophthalmologist will briefly examine your eyes. We will then take a few pictures of your eyes using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Photography. All of these preliminary components are typical of a clinical visit.
Dilating drops, like those used routinely for eye exams, will be administered to enlarge the pupils. After the pupil has dilated, which takes about 30 minutes, we will begin the main portion of the study. We will take a series of retinal scans of your eyes while you sit and look forward at a fixation target. During the retinal imaging, it is important to sustain attention and keep the eyes still, but you can take periodic breaks. The scans are completely non-invasive and nothing touches the eyes.
Risks involved in this study are the momentary discomfort of dilating drops and unlikely allergy to the drops. Also, your vision will be blurry and your eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours.
All research procedures are typically completed in one session of 2-3 hours, but we may request a follow up visit of 1-2 hours. To thank you for your time, for each session we will provide you with a token payment and a parking voucher for the Boston Children's Hospital garage.
Participation in this research will be of no direct benefit to you, but we hope that the data obtained will lead to a better understanding of vision in children who were born prematurely or have a heritable retinal disorder.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
Study 4: Whole Eye Biometry System
The purpose of this research protocol is to test a whole eye biometry system (WEBS). The WEBS instrument enables rapid and accurate measurement of ocular anatomy and pathology, from cornea, sclera and crystalline lens in the anterior segment to retina spanning the large posterior part of the globe.
Prior to the WEBS imaging, we will utilize several standard clinical instruments that are available in the Boston Children’s Hospital ophthalmology department in order to obtain a baseline assessment of the subject’s vision and to obtain validation measurements that we will use to compare to measurements we obtain from the WEBS instrument.
Participation involves measurement of visual acuity (reading letters), measurement of refractive error (glasses prescription), eye examination, photographs of the back of your eye, and a series of retinal scans. The scans are completely non-invasive; nothing touches the eye.
An average research session will be approximately 120 minutes, with no more than 60 minutes spent on the WEBS instrument. For each session, you will receive $25. All testing takes place at Boston Children’s Hospital, located at 300 Longwood Avenue in Boston. We will provide you with a voucher for free parking in the Boston Children’s Hospital garage located across the street.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.
The purpose of this research protocol is to test a whole eye biometry system (WEBS). The WEBS instrument enables rapid and accurate measurement of ocular anatomy and pathology, from cornea, sclera and crystalline lens in the anterior segment to retina spanning the large posterior part of the globe.
Prior to the WEBS imaging, we will utilize several standard clinical instruments that are available in the Boston Children’s Hospital ophthalmology department in order to obtain a baseline assessment of the subject’s vision and to obtain validation measurements that we will use to compare to measurements we obtain from the WEBS instrument.
Participation involves measurement of visual acuity (reading letters), measurement of refractive error (glasses prescription), eye examination, photographs of the back of your eye, and a series of retinal scans. The scans are completely non-invasive; nothing touches the eye.
An average research session will be approximately 120 minutes, with no more than 60 minutes spent on the WEBS instrument. For each session, you will receive $25. All testing takes place at Boston Children’s Hospital, located at 300 Longwood Avenue in Boston. We will provide you with a voucher for free parking in the Boston Children’s Hospital garage located across the street.
To see if you qualify for this study or to find out more information, please contact us.