Motion Displacement Test on show for World Glaucoma Day

The Motion Displacement Test (MDT), developed by Moorfields Eye Hospital in partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and City University London will be on show during World Glaucoma Day (March 12^th) to demonstrate some of the latest glaucoma diagnostic equipment. The MDT tests a patient's field of vision and will run on a standard computer, which means it may offer an effective, portable detection method out in the community. The patient is asked to look at a central white spot and to click the computer mouse each time a line on the screen is seen to move. The idea was originated by Professor Fred Fitzke at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and has been developed into a clinical tool by research teams led by Mr Ted Garway-Heath at Moorfields and Dr David Crabb at City University London.

Dr Faisal Ahmed, glaucoma fellow of the Western Eye Hospital, told Ophthalmology Times Europe: “The main events include a screening at the UK's parliament, organized by Moorfields Eye Hospital and the RNIB, aimed at persuading the general public to get their eyes tested. Also the International Glaucoma Association is inviting people to use some of the latest technology under development for future diagnosis programmes in hospitals. This includes the Heidelberg Tomograph 3, HRT3 and the Ocular Response Analyser.”

The Glaucoma Alliance is a new organization, looking into glaucoma diagnosis and management and in the UK is playing an integral part in raising awareness on 12^th March. The Alliance comprises a diverse community of health professionals including glaucoma specialists the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), The International Glaucoma Association, optometrists and pharmaceutical companies and other charities. This year it has been responsible for producing a poster and assisting in distributing information to opticians, hospitals and GP surgeries throughout the UK. In addition online information and weblinks were made with the General Optical Council and Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Dr Ahmed said: “The Glaucoma Alliance has made great efforts to inform the general public via a ‘grass roots’ approach. The RNIB has designed and produced over 7,000 posters for distribution to the community and the IGA has provided information leaflets as well. So far we are posting posters to over 500 health care centres, over 200 places of worship and high street chemists. In addition not only have independent opticians put up posters but Specsavers and Boots are also taking part. Pfizer, Allergan and Alcon are all distributing posters to hospitals and GP surgeries.

“Charities have also become involved and The Royal Mail has put up posters for its 200,000 staff. The message is that we need to make everyone from all backgrounds have their eyes checked.”