PIMS Study – case study
The PIMS (Positioning in Macular Hole Surgery) study aims to find out whether advice to position face-down, as opposed to face-forward after Macular Hole Surgery, improves the success rate of large macular holes closing.
Find out more about this study and how patients were involved throughout by reading the information below or by watching the video of Retina Day made by The Gene and Cell Therapy group at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Background to the PIMS Study
How were patients involved in the PIMS study?
PIMS trial patient advisors
5 patient advisors accepted the invitation to join the project and they were involved throughout the research process, right from the initial application for funding. They offered invaluable insight on an advisory board and some were also part of the steering committee providing views on their condition, the value of the treatment and explained what advice they received after surgery.
How important is the patient contribution?
Saruban Pasu
Researcher on the PIMS study
“The patients have had a very important contribution towards the trial design. Multiple changes have been made to the design since the pilot study, as a result of their feedback”
Patient voice – key changes made by patients
Patient voice
Roy Smith
Patient advisor to the PIMS study
“Having been through the treatment myself, I believe I have a duty to get involved in this research, to help improve things for future patients and to help move the science forward. The people on the research team listen and take on board our feedback, making us feel like valued and respected members of the team”
PIMS – Further information
1. Solebo AL, Lange CAK, Bunce C, Bainbridge JW. Face-down positioning or posturing after macular hole surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD008228. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008228.pub2.
2. Guillaubey A, Malvitte L, Lafontaine PO, Jay N, Hubert I, Bron A, et al. Comparison of face-down and seated position after idiopathic macular hole surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Am J Ophthalmol. 2008;146(1):128–34. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.02.029.
3. Lange CA, Membrey L, Ahmad N, Wickham L, Maclaren RE, Solebo L, Xing W, Bunce C, Ezra E, Charteris D, Aylward B, Yorston D, Gregor.Z, Zambarakji H, Bainbridge JW. Pilot randomised controlled trial of face-down positioning following macular hole surgery Eye (Lond). 2012 Feb;26(2):272-7. doi: 10.1038/eye.2011.221. Epub 2011 Sep 23