Clinical Research Directory

Cell Collection to Study Eye Diseases

Background: \- Best Vitelliform Dystrophy (Best disease), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration (L-ORD), and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) all affect the retina, the light sensing area at the back of the eye. Doctors cannot safely obtain retinal cells to study these diseases. However, cells collected from hair follicles, skin, saliva, urine, and blood can be used for research. Researchers want to collect cells from people with Best disease, L-ORD, and AMD, and compare their cells with those of healthy volunteers. Objectives: \- To collect hair, skin, saliva, urine, and/or blood samples to study three eye diseases that affect the retina: Best disease, L-ORD, and AMD. Eligibility: * Individuals affected with ocular condition is one year of age or older. * Individuals affected with Best disease, L-ORD, or AMD is 18 years of age or older. * Unaffected individuals are seven years of age or older. Design: * The study requires one visit to the National Eye Institute. * Participants will be screened with a medical and eye disease history. They may also have an eye exam. * Participants will provide a hair sample, saliva sample, urine sample, blood sample, and/or a skin biopsy. The hair will be collected from the back of the head, and the skin will be collected from the inside of the upper arm.

Safety and Tolerability of IRX-101 in Patients Receiving Intravitreal Injections

This is a randomized, double-masked study to evaluate the tolerability and safety of IRX-101 versus 5% povidone-iodine (PI) in subjects receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

Genotype-Phenotype Study of Patients With Plaquenil -Induced Retinal Toxicity, With Evaluation of the ABCA4 Gene

Background: \- Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat some autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This drug can damage the retina by causing a condition called plaquenil-induced retinal toxicity, which may lead to vision loss. However, most people taking plaquenil do not develop this problem. Researchers are interested in studying whether differences in a person s genes explain why some people develop plaquenil-induced retinal toxicity while others do not. Objectives: \- To investigate possible correlations between certain genes or genetic mutations and plaquenil-induced retinal toxicity. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 18 years of age who have previously used plaquenil. * Both individuals who have and have not developed plaquenil-induced retinal toxicity will be eligible for this study. Design: * The study requires one or two visits to the National Eye Institute or an outpatient study clinic over a maximum 2-year period. * Participants will provide a personal and family medical history, and will have a full eye examination. * Participants will also provide blood samples for testing. * No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.

National Eye Institute Biorepository for Retinal Diseases

Background: \- To understand diseases of the retina and the eye, information is needed about people with and without such diseases. Researchers want to study these people and follow them over time. They also want to study body tissues and blood to understand the nature of eye disease. Studying genes, cells, and tissues may help them understand why some people get eye problems and others do not, or why some people respond to treatment while others do not. Researchers want to collect physical samples and personal data to develop a National Eye Institute database. Objectives: \- To collect health information and blood and tissue samples from people with and without eye diseases, to be used in research studies. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 2 years of age with different types of eye disease. * Healthy volunteers with no history of eye disease. Design: * Participants may be recruited from National Eye Institute studies or may be referred from other sources. * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will also have a full eye exam. Questions will be asked about family medical history, especially about eye disease. * Blood samples will be collected. Other samples, such as saliva, tears, hair, stool, and urine, may be collected as needed. Adult participants may also provide a skin sample. * Tissue or fluid from eye collected as part of eye care or treatment may also be added to the database. * No treatment will be provided as part of this study.

Study to Evaluate Ultevursen in Subjects With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Due to Mutations in Exon 13 of the USH2A Gene

The purpose of this Phase 2b study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ultevursen administered via intravitreal injection (IVT) in subjects with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) due to mutations in exon 13 of the USH2A gene. This is a multicenter Double-masked, Randomized, Sham-controlled study which will enroll 81 subjects.

Advancing Pediatric Retinal Imaging With Auto-aligned OCT

The goal of the current study is to conduct a pilot study to test a new version of the handheld OCT device capable of auto-alignment to image the retina in adult volunteers, and adult and pediatric patients in clinic.

Study to Evaluate Sepofarsen in Subjects With Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) Type 10 (HYPERION)

The purpose of this double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, paired-eye study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Sepofarsen in subjects with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) due to the c.2991+1655A\>G (p.Cys998X) mutation in the CEP290.

Longitudinal Observational Study of Diabetic Retinopathy Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

The purpose of this clinical study is to explore imaging, functional and systemic biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression, in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients with moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and mild proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using state of the art methodologies, commonly applied in clinical practice, over a period of two years. This study will provide longitudinal data to better understand retinal changes in moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy and early proliferative diabetic retinopathy and help guide timely interventions to prevent vision loss.

A Multimodal AI Agent for Ophthalmic Clinical Decision Support

This study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of EyeAgent, a multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) agent designed to assist ophthalmologists in clinical decision-making. Participants will be recruited from ophthalmology clinics and hospitals in Hong Kong and mainland China. The AI agent acts as a digital co-pilot, analyzing patient images and clinical history to provide diagnostic and management recommendations. The trial aims to determine whether the use of the AI agent improves diagnostic accuracy, treatment decision-making performance, report generation, workflow efficiency, and user satisfaction compared to standard clinical practice.

Data Gathering for A10900

The objective of this study is to gather Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) data on normal and diseased eyes

COmparison of Clarus and Optos Ultrawide Field Imaging Systems for Inherited Retinal Disease

The goal of this research study is to compare two ultrawide field cameras to the gold standard imaging system to evaluate the back of the eye. The main question it aims to answer is the same results and information can be acquired from all of the cameras for evaluating and monitoring inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Participants will: * undergo pupillary dilation * have photographs taken of the inside of the eyes using three different cameras

The Genetics Navigator: Evaluating a Digital Platform for Genomics Health Services

Genetic testing (GT) (including targeted panels, exome and genome sequencing) is increasingly being used for patient care as it improves diagnosis and health outcomes. In spite of these benefits, genetic testing is a complex and costly health service. This results in unequal access, increased wait times and inconsistencies in care. The use of e-health tools to support genetic testing delivery can result in a better patient experience and reduced distress associated with waiting for results and empower patients to receive and act on medical results. We have previously developed and tested an interactive, adaptable and patient-centred digital decision support tool (Genetics ADvISER) to be used for genetic testing decision making, and have now developed the Genetics Navigator (GN), a patient-centred e-health navigation platform for end-to-end genetic service delivery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the GN in an RCT in reducing distress with patients and parents of patients being offered genetic testing. Results of this trial will be used to establish whether the GN is effective to use in practice. If effective, GN could fill a critical clinical care gap and improve health outcomes and service use by reducing counselling burden as well as overuse, underuse and misuse of services. These are concerns policy makers seek to address through the triple aims of health care1. This study represents a significant advance in personalized health by assessing the effectiveness of this novel, comprehensive e-health platform to ultimately improve genetic service delivery, accessibility, patient experiences, and patient outcomes.

CHOPXE - Analysis of Choriocapillaris Flow Deficits in Patients With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

This observational study sets out to compare choriocapillaris flow deficits between healthy control subjects and patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare, incurable hereditary disease caused by genetic mutations. The condition is characterised by excessive tissue mineralisation, which can result in a range of dermatological, vascular, and ophthalmological complications. Among these complications is the potential for visual impairment. The management of this condition is focused on the treatment of its complications. Degeneration of the retina and the choroid (the layer responsible for ensuring its vascularisation) occurs in the eye, resulting in premature degeneration. We would like to study the premature alteration of these structures, which could subsequently be used as an objective marker of the evolution of pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

A Repeat-Dose, Open-Label, Two Arm Safety and Efficacy Study of Two Doses of VP-001 Administered Intravitreally in Participants With Confirmed PRPF31 Mutation-Associated Retinal Dystrophy, Including Participants Previously Treated With VP001

This is a Phase 1/2 repeat-dose, open-label, two-arm, parallel group safety and efficacy study of two doses of VP-001 (30 μg and 75 μg) in participants with confirmed PRPF31 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, including participants previously treated with VP001 in the PLATYPUS Study or WALLABY Study for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Intraoperative OCT Guidance of Intraocular Surgery II

The overall five-year goals of the project are to develop novel technology to provide actionable new information through provision of live volumetric imaging during surgery, improving surgical practice and outcomes. The investigators believe this technology will enable novel ophthalmic and other microsurgeries not possible due to current limitations in surgical visualization.

Optimize Pediatric OCT Imaging

Handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become an important imaging modality to evaluate the pediatric retina. The objective of this pilot study is to compare a new contact OCT system (Theia Imaging) with an investigational noncontact OCT system (Duke Biomedical Engineering) to assess their ability to image the pediatric retina. The investigators hypothesize that the contact OCT system is superior in imaging larger areas of the retina (larger field-of-view), while it has similar resolution to image the retina substructures (non-inferior image quality).

Smartphone Screening for Eye Diseases

To validate new screening instruments for eye disease, increase eye care access in underserved communities, and provide a scientifically implemented method to set up programs for eye disease screening.

Investigating Geographic Atrophy Insights (i-GAIN) Natural History Study

An observational study to investigate the natural history and evaluate biomarkers of participants with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration

A Efficacy and Safety Study of Ranibizumab 10mg/ml Injection (Incepta) in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema

Macular edema in diabetes, defined as retinal thickening within two disc diameters of the center of the macula, results from retinal microvascular changes that compromise the blood-retinal barrier, causing leakage of plasma constituents into the surrounding retina and consequently retinal edema. Thickening of the basement membrane and reduction in the number of pericytes are believed to lead to increased permeability and incompetence of the retinal vasculature. This compromise of the blood-retinal barrier leads to the leakage of plasma constituents into the surrounding retina with subsequent retinal edema. Hypoxia produced by this mechanism can also stimulate the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases retinal vascular permeability, causes breakdown of the blood-retina barrier and results in retinal edema. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of visual reduction in patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The prevalence of DME globally is around 6.8 %. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. DME is a complication of diabetic retinopathy that affects the macula, which is located at the center of the retina and responsible for central vision. Bangladesh is the 10th country in the world for the number of adults living with diabetes with some 7.1 million (5.3-12.0). In Bangladesh, it is therefore expected that diabetic secondary complications, like DR, will increase along with the rising trend of diabetes mellitus. The use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies has revolutionized in the treatment of many diseases. In recent years, millions of patients have been successfully treated with these biological agents. Ranibizumab is one such therapeutic monoclonal antibody for intraocular use. Ranibizumab is a humanized, recombinant, immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody fragment against vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and thus prevents choroidal neovascularization. The small size of ranibizumab allows for enhanced diffusion into the retina and choroid.

Safety and Efficacy Study of IVB102 Injection in Subjects With X-linked Retinoschisis

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IVB102 injection in subjects with XLRS.

Inherited Retinal Degenerative Disease Registry

The My Retina Tracker® Registry is sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and is for people affected by one of the rare inherited retinal degenerative diseases studied by the Foundation. It is a patient-initiated registry accessible via a secure on-line portal at www.MyRetinaTracker.org. Affected individuals who register are guided to create a profile that captures their perspective on their retinal disease and its progress; family history; genetic testing results; preventive measures; general health and interest in participation in research studies. The participants may also choose to ask their clinician to add clinical measurements and results at each clinical visit. Participants are urged to update the information regularly to create longitudinal records of their disease, from their own perspective, and their clinical progress. The overall goals of the Registry are: to better understand the diversity within the inherited retinal degenerative diseases; to understand the prevalence of the different diseases and gene variants; to assist in the establishment of genotype-phenotype relationships; to help understand the natural history of the diseases; to help accelerate research and development of clinical trials for treatments; and to provide a tool to investigators that can assist with recruitment for research studies and clinical trials.

A Long-Term Follow-Up Study in Subjects Who Received vMCO-I Administered Via Intravitreal Injection

This study "A Long-Term Follow-Up Study in Subjects Who Received an Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Serotype 2 Containing the Multi-Characteristic Opsin Gene (vMCO-I) Administered Via Intravitreal Injection" is an observational study and will be conducted following Good Clinical Practice (GCP)- International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Eligible subjects satisfying all inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria will be enrolled. All subject who completed the parent clinical study (NSCT/CT/18/01) will undergo safety and efficacy assessments up to 5 years post study drug injection

Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II

This study will evaluate the use of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) for the treatment of retinal and optic nerve damage or disease.

MAD of IVT VP-001 in PRPF31 Mutation-Associated Retinal Dystrophy Subjects (Wallaby)

A Phase 1 Open-Label, Multiple Ascending Dose Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Intravitreally Administered VP-001 in Participants with Confirmed PRPF31 Mutation-Associated Retinal Dystrophy