What is the purpose of the ASCEND-Eye study?
Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are among the most common causes of registerable blindness among adults in the UK. The ASCEND-Eye study is assessing the impact of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids on various eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts by obtaining information about eye health from the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme registry, and via a one-off Visual Function Questionnaire. Visual loss impacts significantly on the quality of life for those people affected, as well as incurring significant financial costs to the NHS ophthalmology services. Therefore research into measures which may preserve vision is extremely important.