Glaucoma Detection Study data, KCMC, Tanzania – User Guide

Persistent Identifier

10.17037/DATA.00005260

Description

The aim of the Glaucoma Detection Study (GDS) was to develop and evaluate a low-cost, portable, and easy-to-use detection system for glaucoma, the leading irreversible cause of blindness worldwide. This assessed a combination of three diagnostic tests to identify glaucoma: (1) Eyecatcher visual field testing, a tablet- or laptop-based eye-tracking system that measures visual field loss; (2) PEEK Contrast Sensitivity testing, a smartphone-based assessment of visual function; and (3) optic disc photography using a portable Remidio fundus camera to capture images of the optic nerve. Participants enrolled on the study possessed different levels of glaucoma condition, from healthy individuals with no glaucoma to patients with advanced glaucoma, who were recruited at ophthalmology outpatient clinics at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania. Data from a parallel UK study were also analysed in the study. The dataset contains measurements recorded during this investigation, such as visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber angle grading, perimetry parameters (e.g. mean deviation, MD), as well as novel investigation details including eye-movement perimetry (Eyecatcher) hit rate or score, Remidio fundus camera artificial intelligence grading, and clinician assessment of Remidio fundus photographs (e.g. disc damage likelihood score, DDLS, cup:disc ratio, CDR).

Data collection methods

During their clinic attendance, participants were asked to complete the EMP test using a tablet computer (Surface Pro 7, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, US) with an EyeX (Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden) eye-tracking device attached to the front of the computer. The eye-tracking data were used in near-real-time to determine where the participant was fixating. The test involved a brief initial nine-point calibration procedure requiring participants to follow supra-threshold light stimuli. Participants who successfully completed calibration progressed to a the full EMP test with Goldmann Size III stimuli of fixed differential luminance 6 dB more intense than normative thresholds for an age-similar normally-sighted adult performing SAP. A research assistant was at hand to administer the test and troubleshoot; as well as record if the test was not completed with specific reasons. SAP was performed within three months (often on the same day) using the Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) 24-2 programme on the Humphrey Visual Field HFA II 740i visual field analyser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). Participants were also surveyed to gauge their opinion of the EMP test relative to SAP and explore the acceptability of the new test. Participants were asked whether they felt the EMP test was easy to use, whether EMP was easier than SAP, and whether SAP was easier than EMP. Participants responded through Likert scales with answers of ‘strongly disagree’, ‘disagree’, ‘neither agree or disagree’, ‘agree’, or ‘strongly agree’. In addition, participants were asked to provide any other comments or feedback on either or both of the visual field tests, which were recorded as free text.

Geographic regions

Patients recruited from ophthalmology outpatient clinics at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania.

Key dates

• Date collection dates: 1 March 2022 - 31 December 2023

Population

The study recruited 248 participants (480 eyes) who received treatment at ophthalmology outpatient clinics at KCMC. This covered individuals with no evidence of glaucoma to those with advanced glaucoma.

Privacy

All personally identifiable information has been removed from the dataset.

Ethics

Keywords

glaucoma; diagnosis; perimetry; fundus photography; digital health; Artificial intelligence; Mobile health technology

Language of written material

English

Project information

Creators

File description