UNICORNS: Uveitis in Childhood Prospective National Cohort Study
The UNICORNS study is about a rare condition called 'uveitis' in children, which is inflammation inside the eye. It can sometimes lead to vision problems if not treated correctly. Currently, we don't have enough information about uveitis in children to give the best advice to families or plan future research effectively. This study aims to gather important information about childhood uveitis across the UK. Researchers want to understand the typical course of the condition, its effects on children and their families, and what factors might influence their vision and overall health. They will collect information during your child's regular hospital visits, meaning there will be no changes to their usual medical care. The goal is to improve understanding and ultimately provide better care for children with uveitis.
At a glance
What is this study about?
The UNICORNS study is all about understanding a condition called uveitis specifically in children. Uveitis is when the inside of the eye becomes inflamed or swollen. While it's not very common, if it's not treated well, it can sometimes lead to vision problems. At the moment, doctors don't have a lot of detailed information from studies that look at many children with uveitis over time in the UK. This makes it challenging to give families the clearest advice, make the best treatment choices, or plan new research for better treatments.
This study hopes to change that. Its main goal is to get a true picture of what childhood uveitis looks like across the country. Researchers want to understand things like how the condition typically progresses, what kind of problems it might cause, and how it affects children and their families in their daily lives. By doing this, they hope to identify what factors might lead to better or worse outcomes for children with uveitis, including their vision and overall development.
Importantly, taking part in this study won't change your child's regular medical care or treatments. The healthcare team will simply collect some extra information during their routine check-ups. This information will help build a national picture of childhood uveitis, which will be incredibly valuable for guiding future research and improving how doctors manage this condition for all children in the long term.
Key takeaways
- This study aims to understand uveitis, an eye inflammation, in children across the UK.
- It will gather information during your child's routine hospital visits, with no changes to their treatment.
- The goal is to improve our understanding of childhood uveitis and long-term care.
- Both medical details and how the condition affects daily life will be recorded.
- Participating helps future children with uveitis receive better care and advice.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for children who have recently started to experience uveitis, which is inflammation inside the eye. To be included, your child must have been diagnosed with uveitis within the last six months and be under 18 years old.
However, some children won't be able to join. This includes children whose uveitis is caused by serious conditions like cancer or an injury to the eye, or if it's due to a confirmed infection in the eye. Also, if a child has a learning difficulty or disability that makes it hard for them to talk about how they are feeling or how their condition affects their daily life, they unfortunately won't be able to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Has your child been diagnosed with uveitis within the last 6 months?
- Is your child under 18 years old?
- Is your child's uveitis NOT caused by cancer, injury, or an infection?
- Can your child express how they are feeling and how their health affects them?
What does participation involve?
If your child takes part in the UNICORNS study, there will be no changes to their usual medical care or treatments. Your child will continue to attend their regular hospital appointments as normal. During these appointments, the medical team will simply collect some additional information. This will involve gathering details about your child's health journey and their uveitis.
Your child and family will also be asked to fill out some questionnaires at the start of the study and then once a year afterwards. These questionnaires ask about things like your child's feelings, behaviour, sleep habits, and how their health affects their everyday life – what doctors call 'quality of life'. These forms help researchers understand the wider impact of uveitis beyond just the medical symptoms. The study will continue as long as your child is under the care of their specialist team, with information collected at their annual reviews.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (31)
- Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBelfast, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Royal Bournemouth Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBournemouth, United Kingdom
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBradford, United Kingdom
- University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBristol, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeCambridge, United Kingdom
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board HospitalsVerified postcodeCardiff, United Kingdom
- Mid Essex Hospital TrustVerified postcodeChelmsford, United Kingdom
- Ninewells HospitalVerified postcodeDundee, United Kingdom
- Princess Alexandra Eye PavilionVerified postcodeEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Royal Children's HospitalVerified postcodeGlasgow, United Kingdom
- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeGreat Yarmouth, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is uveitis?
Uveitis is when the inside of the eye becomes inflamed or swollen. It's a rare condition in children.
Will my child's treatment change if we join?
No, your child's medical care and treatments will stay exactly the same. The study just collects information during their normal check-ups.
What kind of information will be collected?
Doctors will gather details about your child's eye condition and general health. You and your child will also fill out questionnaires about how the condition affects their daily life.
How long will my child be in the study?
Information will be collected annually during your child's regular appointments for as long as they are involved with their specialist medical team.
Can we stop participating if we change our minds?
Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time, and it won't affect the medical care your child receives.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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