Dynamic Light Scattering for Studying Lens Aging and Cataract Formation

Completed

Conditions studied: Cataract

In brief

This study will use dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology to study normal lens aging and early cataract formation. Cataract is a clouding of the lens that interferes with the passage of light to the retina, impairing visual acuity. DLS uses a low intensity laser light (similar to that used in supermarket checkouts) to measure lens cloudiness. It detects changes in the human lens at the earliest molecular stages of cataract development, when anti-cataract treatment would be most effective in reversing, delaying or preventing cataract formation. Healthy normal volunteers and patients with age-related cataract between 18 and 80 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: Medical history Eye examination, including the following: * Measurement of visual acuity (vision chart) * Measurement of eye pressure * Dilation of the pupils for slit lamp (microscope) examination and grading of lens opacity * Ultrasound examination of the eye to determine distances between cornea, lens (including lens thickness), and retina * Examination of the retina at the back of the eye * Dynamic light scattering of the lens (see below) * Lens photography using a camera with a bright flash For the DLS procedure, the patient sits in front of the DLS device with his or her chin placed on a chin rest and fixes on a yellow target in the center of the camera lens. When the eye is properly aligned, DLS measurements are taken on the lens.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00081991

Run by

National Eye Institute (NEI)

People needed

267

Starts

2004-04-01

Expected to finish

2005-04-01

Last updated by the study team

2008-03-04

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients aged 18-80 years will be admitted to this study. There will be no racial or gender bias in the recruitment.
• 227 patients with AREDS nuclear cataract grades 2 or less will be enrolled in the study. 40 patients with AREDS nuclear cataract grade 3 and 4 will also be enrolled.
• For those patients enrolled in the study, both eyes will be evaluated for this protocol. However, the participant has the right to choose to undergo measurements only in one eye. In that case, the eye to be examined will be determined by the partipantt's birth month. If the patient's birth month is an even number, the right eye will be examined; if the patient's birth month is odd, the left eye will be examined.

You may not qualify if…

• Subjects who have tear film disorders, corneal opacities or disorders, uveitis, glaucoma or who have difficulty fixating, will be excluded.
• Subjects who are thought to be at risk for an adverse reaction to pupil dilation, or have a history of allergic reaction to one of the dilating agents that will be used, will be excluded.

Where it is running

• National Eye Institute (NEI) — Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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