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Take part in research

We’re passionate about supporting clinicians and scientists to carry out cutting edge research into glaucoma detection, care and treatment. But we don’t just help by funding research. We also help researchers recruit people to take part in their projects. Is there an opportunity for you?

You can find all the latest opportunities to volunteer in research studies below. If you are a researcher and want to list your project on this webpage, please see the list your project section below.

Why take part in glaucoma research?

There might be lots of reasons for taking part in research. You could make a difference by helping to improve treatments and quality of life for people with glaucoma, now and in the future. You could access new treatments, or perhaps you’ll just feel you’re taking a more active role in your own glaucoma care. Data from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) shows that 91% of people who took part in research would consider taking part again, and 91% felt valued by researchers for taking part.

Projects you can take part in

Investigating whether a new method for measuring the ‘visual field’ can better detect glaucoma in short-sighted individuals

Description of the project:

This study will investigate different methods of measuring the ‘visual field’ to allow the research and development of new tests that may be better at detecting glaucoma and differentiating the disease from changes that can occur in healthy eyes, such as those related to the eye becoming short-sighted (myopic).

Who is eligible to take part?

Individuals aged 35-90 years with open-angle or normal-tension glaucoma (excluding glaucoma related to eye trauma) in one or both eyes.

Where and how will the research take place?

If you agree to take part, you will be invited to undergo some tests of vision lasting approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. This can be completed at the Centre for Optometry and Vision Science at the Ulster University Coleraine Campus, or the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network Vision Suite within the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (Royal Victoria Hospital site) depending on your preference.

These tests may be undertaken in one visit or split into two depending on preference. For the experimental tests, we will ask you to view different spots of light presented on a screen and measure the number and function of your eye’s retinal nerve cells. Before doing any experiments, we will perform some screening tests to ensure that you are eligible to participate. These screening tests will likely be familiar to you from a previous visit to your optometrist or the hospital eye service.

If you would like to take part or hear more about the research, please get in contact with Ms Caitlín Campbell via email at campbell-c118@ulster.ac.uk.

Clinical trial on a new treatment for glaucoma: oral cannabinoids

Description of the project:

Current treatments for glaucoma include eye drops, laser treatment and surgery. Drops can be difficult to use or not well tolerated. The need for better treatments is a top research priority identified by patients. This study will evaluate a new treatment, a synthetic cannabinoid, given in tablets, in patients with glaucoma. It is well known cannabinoids lower the eye pressure. The medication to be used in this study is currently been evaluated in other health areas and appears to be well tolerated and safe. The trial will recruit 10 patients with high eye pressure or mild glaucoma at the Belfast NHS trust. If treatment proves effective and well tolerated it will lead to a larger, definitive trial and, eventually, it could significantly improve outcomes of patients with glaucoma. The trial is sponsored by the Belfast Trust and supported by Glaucoma UK.

Who is eligible to take part?

People living in Northern Ireland with high eye pressure (high intraocular pressure) and people with mild glaucoma

Where and how will the research take place?

At the Belfast City Hospital, University Floor, at the NICRF. It will involve four or five visits to the research facility, lasting about one hour each. Participants will receive a £30 voucher for each visit.

If you would like to take part or hear more about the research, please get in contact with Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco via email at a.azuara-blanco@qub.ac.uk

Help shape a new quality of life measure for people with sight loss

Description of the project:

Researchers are developing a new quality of life questionnaire for people living with eye disease and sight loss. Existing questionnaires have limitations and may not fully reflect the experiences of people living with sight loss in the UK today. This new questionnaire will help researchers and healthcare professionals understand how eye conditions and treatments affect everyday life.

Who is eligible to take part?

Those who are regularly attending the hospital eye department or those who have any eye condition that impacts their sight (that can’t be corrected with glasses).

Where and how will the research take place?

You will be invited to take part in an initial online discussion to share your experiences and views on living with eye disease or sight loss and to discuss which aspects of quality of life are most important to you.

If you are interested in taking part, fill in the short form on the Health and Care Research Wales website.

Projects seeking patient input to help shape the study

Shaping a study – Visual rehabilitation training programme in people living with advanced glaucoma

Description of the project:

People with advanced glaucoma often experience difficulties with reading, finding objects, navigating unfamiliar environments and carrying out everyday tasks. Researchers are planning a study to evaluate a home-based visual training programme designed to help people make better use of their remaining vision and improve day-to-day functioning. Before the study begins, we want to work closely with people living with advanced glaucoma, their carers and sight-loss organisations to ensure the research is relevant, accessible and acceptable. Participants will be invited to take part in workshops, discussion groups and testing sessions to share their experiences and provide feedback on the training programme, study information, recruitment methods and outcome measures. We hope to identify what matters most to people with glaucoma and use this feedback to improve the design of the study and guide future research into visual rehabilitation.

Who is eligible to take part?

Adults living with advanced glaucoma, carers and family members, and representatives from voluntary organisations supporting visually impaired people

Where and how will the research take place?

In-person meetings at the University of Sunderland. Contact abbey.Fletcher@sunderland.ac.uk if you are interested in taking part.

Patient and public involvement and engagement: Understanding why some people get glaucoma detection later than others – Help us shape our study

Description of the project:

Glaucoma is usually detected by chance during routine eye tests performed by optometrists. While many patients with suspected glaucoma are initially detected and referred for specialist care at an appropriate stage, a significant number of people, especially those living in deprived areas, are diagnosed with glaucoma at a late stage, when significant damage has already occurred. We are conducting a research study to understand the reasons for delayed glaucoma detection and the practical and social factors that may affect early detection and referral. We hope the findings of this study help eye care professionals and policymakers improve current care and early detection of glaucoma and ensure equal access to care for everyone. We are seeking adults living with glaucoma to join our research team as part of patient and public involvement and help us shape this study. We would value your help and advice on the questions we plan to ask people in future interviews and on patient information.

Who is eligible to take part?

We are looking for individuals aged 18 or older who live with glaucoma to join us as pre-study patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) contributors, rather than as research participants, to help us shape the study. We encourage people with all types of glaucoma at any stage of the condition, from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, to get involved if they are interested in sharing their views and able to communicate with the research team. You do not need prior research experience or knowledge to get involved.

Where and how will the research take place?

The discussion will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams, so you can join us from anywhere using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It can also be conducted by telephone if you prefer. We expect the discussion to last about 40 minutes. We will send you the documents we would like your feedback on in advance, giving you enough time to review them before the discussion. These include the interview questions, the patient information sheet, and the consent form. If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information, please contact our research team at hanan.alqahtani@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk. We would be happy to provide additional information, answer any questions you may have, and arrange the discussion.

Can’t find a research project to get involved in?

Our newsletter

Hear more from Glaucoma UK by signing up to our email newsletter, Focus, to receive updates about new research projects.

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Explore the NIHR

You can also explore the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR)’s Be Part of Research website which lists the vast majority of clinical trials and other big health and social care research projects across the UK. There are options to search for research based on the condition and/or location, and sign up to hear more.

Learn more

Local hospital research

You might be able to take part in other research through your local hospital. You could find out more by visiting the clinic or hospital’s website, or asking someone at your next appointment. Some of the larger eye hospitals such as Moorfields have their own portals to sign up to take part in research.

Find out more

Research FAQs

No, it is always voluntary to take part in any research.

Sometimes. Most of the projects listed above are completely independent of Glaucoma UK, and we have no control over the scope of the project. Where the project is funded by Glaucoma UK, we have made this clear.

We only promote projects where the researcher has demonstrated they have obtained ethical approval, or if ethical approval is not needed.

The lead researcher or another point of contact is provided for each project. Please contact the researcher directly if you would like to know more.

List your project here 

If you are recruiting people for your research into glaucoma, vision or a related topic, you can list your project here. Please complete this form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you have any questions, email research@glaucoma.uk.

If approved, your request will be published on our website within two weeks, inclusion in our relevant newsletter will need up to an 8-week lead time. We will also endeavour to post opportunities on our social media channels as appropriate.

Research into visual impairments  

Please note, although glaucoma is a sight-threatening disease, most people with glaucoma experience good sight for life. If you are a researcher looking at experiences of people with visual impairments, we are happy to share your project. However, you might not receive that many responses.  

Help us fund more cutting-edge research 

Can you help us fund more glaucoma research? We are entirely reliant on the generosity of our supporters, and receive no government funding. Please consider donating to help us change the outlook for people with glaucoma and make glaucoma sight loss a thing of the past.

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