The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) General Applications Section & RSS Merseyside local group

9th Nov 2010, 14.00-17.00 at the University of Liverpool 
(Room 106, Brodie Tower)

Design and Statistical Issues in Opthalmic studies 


14:00-14:40 Catey Bunce (Senior Statistician, Moorfields Eye Hospital)

Method comparison studies in ophthalmology
Ophthalmic researchers today are faced with a variety of methods of measuring ocular characteristics such as intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and macular thickness.  It is not uncommon to find papers which report on whether or not such methods are interchangeable.  This talk highlights some common misunderstandings in the analysis of such studies, promotes the use of limits of agreement and questions why old habits are hard to change.

14:40-15:20 Irene M. Stratton (Honorary Associate Professor, University of Warwick)

Use of graphical methods in diabetic retinopathy screening and ophthalmology - will pictures paint a thousand words?
The English Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy offers annual screening to everyone with diabetes over the age of 11. Screening is carried out in 91 local programmes using digital retinal photography. Tables of the results proved difficult to interpret, especially in programmes with over 100 graders. Graphical methods are being developed to aid programme managers in assessing training needs and are also being used in analyses of the National Ophthalmology Database. The aim of this talk is to demonstrate ways to make large datasets accessible to ophthalmologists and managers in the Hospital Eye Services and to the Screening Programme.

15:20-15:40 Coffee break

15:40-16:20 Phillippa Cumberland (Senior Research Fellow, UCL Institute of Child Health) 

Measurement of vision related outcomes in children
Accurate measurement of outcomes is key to both clinical practice and research. Reliable paediatric ophthalmic measurement depends on the underlying development of the child and their ability to co-operate so there is usually more measurement variation in younger children. Generally age-appropriate instruments are used, however, some instruments e.g. automated perimetry, were developed for use in adults but are commonly used in children and in other areas, e.g. in vision related quality of life, there are few available instruments. In this talk some issues regarding measurement of vision related outcomes in children will be discussed.

16:20-17:00 Carrol Gamble (Reader in Medical Statistics, University of Liverpool)

Issues and challenges in designing randomised controlled trials
Informed decisions about treatment options should be made using an evidence base containing randomised controlled trials. The design elements of randomised controlled trials are there to protect against bias providing a rigorous evaluation of whether there is an association between a treatment and an outcome. However, not all of the design elements of RCTs may be feasible and poor design may cause bias.  This talk, using examples, will look at situations where there have been design challenges in conducting RCTs highlighting general aspects that should be considered and common mistakes when designing a RCT.

Register at: http://sites.google.com/site/rssmerseyside/research-meetings/research-meeting-design-and-statistical-analysis-in-opthalmic-research/registration-form 

ALL ARE WELCOME. THERE IS NO CHARGE 
Contact: Marta García-Fiñana ([log in to unmask]) or Jamie Kirkham ([log in to unmask])

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