Using MRI to identify biomarkers of age-related eye disease

The study involves you coming in for several visits at the University of Auckland Grafton campus over a period of up to 2 years. At each visit, we will conduct:

1. A clinical visit that comprises a variety of tests to assess the degree of "cloudiness" of your lens, by measuring your sensitivity to contrast and glare. This is conducted at the Grafton Eye Clinic, and takes around 1 hour.

2. An MRI scan that will help us measure the antioxidant levels in the vitreous humour in your eye. This is conducted at the University of Auckland Grafton campus, at their Centre for Advanced MRI. The scan will take approximately 1 hour.

$50 worth of MTA petrol vouchers will be offered as koha to participants after each visit.

We are currently looking for volunteers who:

• Are scheduled to undergo cataract surgery or vitrectomy surgery. If you are not scheduled for any eye surgery, you may be eligible to take part as a control participant.
  
  
• Do not have a very high spectacle prescription (check with us if you are unsure).
  
  
• Do not have any metal implants (e.g. cardiac pacemaker) that may prevent you from having an MRI scan.

Lead investigator

Dr. Alyssa Lie
Email: a.lie@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 021 0266 4662