Finding Ophthalmic Risk and Evaluating the Value of Eye exams and their predictive Reliability (FOREVER)—A cohort study in a Danish high street optician setting: Design and methodology

Josefine Freiberg, Jens Rovelt, Gus Gazzard, Morten la Cour, Miriam Kolko, Christian Torp‐Pedersen, Marianne Benn, Søren Brunak, Morten la Cour, Janne Tolstrup, Anne Pernille Toft‐Petersen, Kristoffer Sølvsten Burgdorf, Karina Banasik, Piotr Jaroslaw Chmura, Josefine Freiberg, Jens Rovelt, Dorte Nellemann Thornit, Paul Foster, Gus Gazzard, David P. CrabbAnanth Viswanathan, Sarah Barman, Christopher G. Owen, Alicja R. Rudnicka

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of the study was to describe the rationale and design of Project FOREVER (Finding Ophthalmic Risk and Evaluating the Value of Eye exams and their predictive Reliability).

Design
Project FOREVER will build a comprehensive database of clinical eye and vision data collected from ~280 000 adults at 100 optician stores across Denmark. The FOREVER database (FOREVERdb) includes detailed data from refraction, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, visual field assessments and retinal fundus images. Linkage to the comprehensive Danish national registries with, that is diagnostic and prescribing data permits investigation of rare associations and risk factors. 30 000 individuals over 50 also provide a saliva sample for later genetic studies and blood pressure measurements. Of these 30 000, 10 000 will also get optical coherence tomography (OCT) nerve and retinal scans. This subpopulation data is reviewed by ophthalmologists for disease detection. All participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire assessing lifestyle, self-perceived eye health and general health. Enrolment of participants began in April 2022.

Perspective
The FOREVERdb is a powerful tool to answer a wide range of research questions that can pave the way for better eye health. This database will provide valuable insights for future studies investigating the correlations between eye and general health in a Danish population cohort, enabling research to identify potential risk factors for a range of diseases.
Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Ophthalmologica
Volume102
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)80-90
Number of pages11
ISSN1755-375X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

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