Optimizing Patient's Comfort During Scleral Indentation

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Schocket scleral depressor: Use of this instrument to examine one eye

Josephberg-Besser: Use of this instrument to examine one eye

Cotton tip applicator: Use of this instrument to examine one eye

Study summary

The scleral depression exam is an important routine technique for evaluating the retinal periphery for various reasons. During this examination, an instrument is used to bring the anterior part of the retina into the physician's field of view. The downside of this technique is the discomfort it may cause the patient. Different instruments can be used to depress the sclera.

The objective of this research is to compare three commonly used scleral depressors based on their performance for the ophthalmologist and the discomfort they subjectively induce in patients.

Patients will be randomly allocated to one of three examination groups:

Group A: One eye examined with the Schocket scleral depressor, the other eye with the Josephberg-Besser scleral depressor.

Group B: One eye examined with the Schocket scleral depressor, the other eye with the cotton-tip applicator.

Group C: One eye examined with the cotton-tip applicator, the other eye with the Josephberg-Besser scleral depressor.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain scale — Once, directly after completing the scleral depressed examination, on the same day of inclusion in the study.
  Patient rate their pain with the Wong-Baker Faces scale for each eye, from 0 to 10, 0 being the absence of pain and 10 being the worst imaginable pain.

Trial sites (2)

More University of Alberta trials in Canada

Other trials for the same condition