Improving the ease of diagnosis

Professor Omar Mahroo, UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology – £119,408

This project aims to improve how macular disease and inherited retinal conditions are diagnosed. By developing a portable electroretinogram (ERG) device, the research team hopes to make retinal testing faster, more accessible and easier for patients.

What is the problem?

The retina detects light and produces electrical signals that allow us to see. An ERG measures these signals and is an important diagnostic test for people with macular disease, particularly inherited retinal conditions.

However, standard ERG testing can take over an hour and often requires additional hospital visits and sometimes to specialist centres far from home. This can delay diagnosis and make access to testing more difficult, especially for people with mobility challenges.

What are they doing?

Professor Mahroo’s team are aiming to develop a portable ERG device that can assess retinal health quickly and accurately at the point of care. The goal is to create a reliable, accessible alternative to traditional hospital-based testing, reducing the need for lengthy and repeated visits.

How can this help?

If successful, this project could make retinal diagnosis faster, more convenient and more accessible. A portable ERG device could support earlier diagnosis of macular and inherited retinal diseases, reduce travel burden for patients and carers, and improve access to specialist testing across the UK.