About Us

The Central Angiographic Resource Facility (CARF) is a unique facility co-ordinating the grading of ophthalmic images collected for research studies into Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). CARF engages a network of angiographic reading centres located throughout the United Kingdom, electronically distributing photographic data for grading. Participating clinical research study centres submit ophthalmic images to CARF.  CARF can accept images captured from a number of different ophthalmic image acquisition systems which produce either digital or film images. The customised software used in CARF allows the captured images to be standardised and read on a common platform.

Digital images can be submitted on a disc (CD or DVD) or submitted on-line. On receipt, consistency checks are performed to ensure clinical study centre submission completeness and adherence to protocol.  CARF monitors image and angiographic quality and provides feedback and reports to clinical study centres where necessary. 

CARF manages the allocation of images to one of its associated reading centres in the network for grading.  The images are evaluated by applying both parametric and non-parametric principles by highly trained grading staff using customised grading software.  CARF collates the results from the reading centres which are recorded using methodologies appropriate to a particular study protocol and allows generation of data outputs to purchasers of services or relevant study data management centres

CARF is a joint initiative between the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust, Belfast and Queen’s University of Belfast, established in 2004.