The UK clinical eye research strategy: refreshing research priorities for clinical eye research in the UK
Authors: Bourne Rupert R. A. , Moledina Malik , Azuara-Blanco Augusto , Saleh George M. , Self James E. , Sivaprasad Sobha , Sharma Srilakshmi M. , Ross Andrew , Gilbert Rose M. , Abdalla Elsayed Maram E. A. , Moon Won Young , Doug Manjo , Mulholland Pádraig J. , Day Alexander C. , Romano Vito , Hoad Geraldine V. , Kara Madina , Murray Ailish , Gow Louise , Ghanchi Faruque , Patel Praveen J. , Gale Richard P. , Dinah Christiana , Valentine Keith , Yelf Cathy , Poustie Vanessa ,   NIHR Ophthalmology Specialty Group, Ansari Ejaz , Beare Nick A. V. , Bourne Rupert R. A. , Chambers Emma , Cordeiro Francesca , De Silva Samantha , Downes Susan , Gale Richard , Ganchi Faruque , Hammond Chris , Hoad Geraldine V. , Jackson Jonathan , King Anthony , Lotery Andrew J. , Mulholland Padraig , Nickson Ian , Patel Praveen , Rowe Fiona J. , Saleh George M. , Scanlon Peter , Shah Brinda , Silvestri Julie , Sung Velota , Tatham Andrew , Ugarte Marta , Varma Deepali , Vortruba Marcela , Waseem Saila ,   Executive Group of UK Clinical Eye Research Strategy, Blanco Augusto Azuara , Bowen Michael , Bunce Catey , Caplin Nick , Crosby Roxanne , Ghareeb Ali , Gomes Renata , Hanna Kerry , Hoad Geraldine V. , Houlihan Tina , Low Liying , Self James E. , Sharma Srilakshmi M. 
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To validate and update the 2013 James Lind Alliance (JLA) Sight Loss and Vision Priority Setting Partnership (PSP)’s research priorities for Ophthalmology, as part of the UK Clinical Eye Research Strategy.

Methods

Twelve ophthalmology research themes were identified from the JLA report. They were allocated to five Clinical Study Groups of diverse stakeholders who reviewed the top 10 research priorities for each theme. Using an online survey (April 2021-February 2023), respondents were invited to complete one or more of nine subspecialty surveys. Respondents indicated which of the research questions they considered important and subsequently ranked them.

Results

In total, 2240 people responded to the survey (mean age, 59.3 years), from across the UK. 68.1% were female. 68.2% were patients, 22.3% healthcare professionals or vision researchers, 7.1% carers, and 2.1% were charity support workers. Highest ranked questions by subspecialty: Cataract (prevention), Cornea (improving microbial keratitis treatment), Optometric (impact of integration of ophthalmic primary and secondary care via community optometric care pathways), Refractive (factors influencing development and/or progression of refractive error), Childhood onset (improving early detection of visual disorders), Glaucoma (effective and improved treatments), Neuro-ophthalmology (improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegeneration affecting vision), Retina (improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration), Uveitis (effective treatments for ocular and orbital inflammatory diseases).

Conclusions

A decade after the initial PSP, the results refocus the most important research questions for each subspecialty, and prime targeted research proposals within Ophthalmology, a chronically underfunded specialty given the substantial burden of disability caused by eye disease.