Active clinical trials for "Blindness"

The project has four primary objectives: 1) Determine if blind rehabilitation improves the quality of life of legally blind veterans; 2) Determine the relationship between quality of life and visual function; 3) Determine if factors, such as cognitive status, level of depression, age and the presence of additional medical conditions besides vision loss, intervention of blind rehabilitation extends beyond the visually impaired individual and improve the quality of life of their primary caregiver (e.g. spouse, partner, family member or friend.)

The purpose of the research project is to develop and evaluate an emergency egress system for persons with visual impairment, which would use existing lighted exit signage to provide egress information at a distance of up to 100 feet.

This pilot study will evaluate the visual response to infrared (IR) in humans after dark adaptation. The investigators plan to determine which wavelength and intensity the human eye is most sensitive too, using a broad spectrum light source and wavelength-specific bandpass filters. The investigators will then evaluate the electrophysiologic response in healthy humans to IR, followed by studies in those with specific retinal diseases. The long-term goal of this research is to better understand the role that IR plays in visual function, and whether this can be manipulated to allow for vision in certain retinal pathologies that result from loss of photoreceptor cells. The investigators central objective is to test the electrophysiologic response to IR in the dark-adapted retinal and visual pathways. The investigators central hypothesis is that IR evokes a visual response in humans after dark adaptation, and the characteristics of this response suggest transient receptor potential (TRP) channel involvement. The investigators rationale is that a better understanding of how IR impacts vision may allow for an alternative mechanism for vision in a number of diseases that cause blindness from the degradation or loss of function of photoreceptor cells. The investigators will test the investigators hypothesis with the following Aims: Aim 1: To determine the optimal IR wavelength for visual perception in dark-adapted human participants. The investigators hypothesize that the healthy human eye will detect IR irradiation, with a maximum sensitivity at a specific wavelength. Using a broad-spectrum light source with wavelength-specific bandpass filters, the spectral range of visual perception to IR will be evaluated. The same will be done on colorblind participants. Aim 2: To test the electrophysiologic response to IR in healthy humans after dark adaptation. The investigators hypothesize that IR will elicit an amplitude change on electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) responses after dark adaptation in healthy human participants. Participants will be tested with both test modalities to evaluate their response to IR. Aim 3: To test the electrophysiologic response to IR after dark adaptation in humans with certain retinal diseases. Participants with retinitis pigmentosa, age related macular degeneration and congenital stationary night blindness, will be tested. Results will be compared to baselines and to those of healthy participants. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a response to IR on ERG and VEP, which will provide clues to the retinal cell layer location of the response to IR and the nature of potential TRP channel involvement.

This study aims to validate an observer-rated assessment titled "Functional Low-Vision Observer Rated Assessment (FLORA-20)", which comprises 20 functional vision tasks commonly performed in or around a blind individual's home environment. This study shall be carried out with individuals who have an implanted visual prosthesis device. There are no new implantations or changes to the original implant or external wearables being studied or tested. Additionally, data from the study shall not be used alter standard of care or the user's treatment options.

The proposed study is intended to test the idea, based upon current knowledge of the biology and physiology of corneal ulceration in SJS/TENS patients who receive a keratoprosthesis, and on the known effects of infliximab on matrix metalloproteinases, that infliximab therapy for such patients may reduce the likelihood of corneal ulceration, and hence extend the period of prosthesis retention and vision recovery.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the EYEMATE system in patients undergoing concomitant implantation of a BKPro type 1 and an EYEMATE sensor over the 24 months period beginning at implantation.

The aim of this study is to validate the VISIODOL® scale for screening of pain in people with visual impairment.

This retrospective observational study is intended to assess the feasibility of using a nonsignificant risk device for vision improvement for legally blind dry AMD patients.

Rare Eye Diseases (RED) are the leading cause of severe visual impairment/ blindness (SVI/B) in children in Europe. This sensory disability with its accompanying psychological distress hugely impacts their lives and their families. Understanding this impact, at a patient centred level, is key in care, in shared decision making, in developing therapies, and in improving social integration and participation about the standard rules of the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) (prevention, non-discrimination, equal opportunities, accessibility, etc.). However, current tools to evaluate vision related (VR) quality of life (QoL) VR-QoL disregard age and cultural differences. There is a lack knowledge on how the disease matters at child's level. Instruments capable of yielding high-quality data, psychometrically robust and comply with regulatory requirements remain to be developed. To fill this gap, SeeMyLife will use multilevel concurrent mixed method research combining quantitative studies and qualitative studies. The quantitative approach is based on (i) cross culturally translated validated VR-QoL questionnaires for children and teenagers (Functional Vision Questionnaire for Children and Young People - FVQ-CYP and Vision-related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children and Young People - VQoL-CYP) and (ii) on caregiver's questionnaires addressing participation and environment (Participation and Environment Measure - Children and Youth - PEM-CY). To fully capture the picture of the child/teenager personal life the investigators will reinforce their investigations by in depth qualitative socio-anthropologic study with semi directive field interviews and fieldwork (to observe closely the living conditions of the children) to address how their impairment affects their wellbeing, social integration, and how they feel about medical and social interventions. Data analysis will use an integrated mixed method strategy to validate the quantitative tools and deliver a holistic QoL transnational tool. The SeeMyLife project will provide (i) robust patient self-reported tools that will be then used in care and research (especially with the rise in novel therapies) as a standard as well as (ii) highly awaited knowledge about the SVI/B patient's position within his own life course, within his family and in relation to health and social care actors.

Osteoporosis pseudoglioma (OPPG) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition of childhood osteoporosis and congenital blindness for which new treatments are needed. We have found that body fat is increased in OPPG and muscle mass is reduced. We hypothesize that growth hormone therapy will improve muscle mass and bone strength in OPPG.