Study looking at the effectiveness of collagen crosslinking (CXL) in children is now recruiting.
Posted: Mon 17 Oct 2016 1:08 pm
While there have been a number of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of CXL in adults and the procedure has been approved by NICE for use in the NHS, much less is known about the effectiveness of CXL in children. Up till now, there has been no ‘randomised’ trial in young patients (a randomised trial compares the results in people receiving CXL with those receiving standard care of spectacles or contact lenses). So news that a multi-centre study has now received funding and is recruiting patients is very welcome.
Although the study is being done in London, Sheffield and Liverpool, young people 16 and under with a confirmed diagnosis of keratoconus can be referred from other hospitals, optometrists and GPs. The chief investigator, Mr Frank Larkin writes -
The Keralink trial has been designed to investigate efficacy and safety of the established technique of CXL in the paediatric age group. This is a trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research, in which patients aged 16 or less with progressive keratoconus in one or both eyes will be randomised to receive either CXL or standard care with spectacles and/or contact lenses. The trial will directly address these questions: (i) what is the efficacy of CXL in the early stage of keratoconus in children? (ii) If effective, what is the duration of CXL benefit, particularly in young patients? (iii) Is there a measurable improvement in quality of life following CXL? Funding for 21 month follow-up is in place in the first instance, although the Keralink team will seek funding for longer follow-up of recruited patients.
The trial will commence recruitment in October 2016 and be conducted in Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, St. Paul’s Eye Unit in Liverpool and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. The chief investigator is Mr Frank Larkin at Moorfields, assisted by consultant colleagues Mr Stephen Tuft (also Moorfields), Mr Matthew Edwards and Mr Mathew Raynor (Sheffield) and Prof Colin Willoughby (Liverpool). Further information about the trial will be made available to parents and patients, and assistance with travel costs will be available once recruited to the trial. For further information please contact Mr Larkin c/o Judy.Carpenter@moorfields.nhs.uk
Although the study is being done in London, Sheffield and Liverpool, young people 16 and under with a confirmed diagnosis of keratoconus can be referred from other hospitals, optometrists and GPs. The chief investigator, Mr Frank Larkin writes -
The Keralink trial has been designed to investigate efficacy and safety of the established technique of CXL in the paediatric age group. This is a trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research, in which patients aged 16 or less with progressive keratoconus in one or both eyes will be randomised to receive either CXL or standard care with spectacles and/or contact lenses. The trial will directly address these questions: (i) what is the efficacy of CXL in the early stage of keratoconus in children? (ii) If effective, what is the duration of CXL benefit, particularly in young patients? (iii) Is there a measurable improvement in quality of life following CXL? Funding for 21 month follow-up is in place in the first instance, although the Keralink team will seek funding for longer follow-up of recruited patients.
The trial will commence recruitment in October 2016 and be conducted in Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, St. Paul’s Eye Unit in Liverpool and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. The chief investigator is Mr Frank Larkin at Moorfields, assisted by consultant colleagues Mr Stephen Tuft (also Moorfields), Mr Matthew Edwards and Mr Mathew Raynor (Sheffield) and Prof Colin Willoughby (Liverpool). Further information about the trial will be made available to parents and patients, and assistance with travel costs will be available once recruited to the trial. For further information please contact Mr Larkin c/o Judy.Carpenter@moorfields.nhs.uk