Genetics and Markers of Degenerative and Inflammatory Eye Diseases

Completed

Conditions studied: Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Uveitis

In brief

This study will identify genes that are associated with inflammation or degeneration of the retina (membrane lining the back of the eye that relays vision signals to the brain). It is thought that many retinal conditions are due to an altered immune system and are based on how the person s genes function and communicate. People 4 years of age or older who have a retinal condition such as uveitis, age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy may be eligible for this study. Healthy volunteers and healthy people who have a family member with one of these conditions are also eligible. Patients with inherited retinal degeneration are excluded. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: * Eye examination to assess visual acuity (eye chart test) and eye pressure, and to examine the pupils, lenses, retina and eye movements. Photographs of the inside of the eye may also be taken. The pupils are dilated with drops for this examination. * Blood draw for genetic testing. Participants may also undergo one or more of the following tests: * Optical coherence tomography. This is a type of photograph of the back of the eye to measure thickness of the retina. * Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. Pictures of the eye s blood vessels are taken using either a fluorescein or indocyanine green dye. The dye is injected into a vein in an arm and travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. A camera takes pictures of the dye as it flows through the blood vessels. * Electroretinogram (ERG) to measure retinal function. The patient sits in a dark room for 30 minutes with his or her eyes patched. Then, a small metal disk electrode is taped to the forehead, the eye patches are removed, the surface of the eye is numbed with eye drops, and contact lenses are placed on the eyes. The patient then watches flashing lights. The contact lenses sense small electrical signals generated by the retina when the light flashes....

Key facts

Study ID
NCT00647439
Run by
National Eye Institute (NEI)
People needed
609
Starts
2008-03-27
Expected to finish
2018-12-04
Last updated by the study team
2018-12-10

Who can join

Age: 4 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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