Carbidopa-Levodopa in Dry AMD With Geographic Atrophy
Age Related Macular DegenerationFrom 3 large patient databases, patients diagnosed with AMD who have never taken levodopa(L-DOPA) containing medications have a mean age of diagnosis at 71 years. Patients who have been treated with L-DOPA containing medications have a mean age of diagnosis of AMD at 79 years. L-DOPA binds to GPR143 in the retinal pigment epithelium, and releases PEDF, which protects the retina and downregulates VEGF, which is the cause of neovascularization. The Investigators will evaluate the safety and tolerability of carbidopa-levodopa in patients with Neovascular AMD, and measure the effects on visual acuity and retinal abnormalities due to "wet" (neovascular) AMD. The Investigators will evaluate the safety and tolerability of carbidopa-levodopa in patients with Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy, and measure the effects on visual acuity, area of geographic atrophy and other retinal abnormalities due to "dry" AMD.
Evolution and Risk Factors Associated With Geographic Atrophy Progression
Geographic AtrophyAge-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The factors that induce the progression of geographic atrophy, the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, remain poorly understood. The aims of this study are to describe the natural history of geographic atrophy and identify potential risk factors associated with a faster spread of atrophy that may be used to develop rational therapies.
The Natural History of Geographic Atrophy Progression (GAP) Study
Age-Related Macular DegenerationGeographic AtrophyThe objective of the 18-month trial is to evaluate the natural history of geographic atrophy by assessing the rate of progression of the geographic atrophic lesion over time.
A Study of Disease Progression in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related...
Geographic AtrophyThis study seeks to better characterize relationships between visual function and the progression (worsening) of geographic atrophy (GA) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study is also intended to generate new information on the relationship between genetics and GA progression. This is a global, prospective, multicenter, epidemiologic study enrolling participants with GA secondary to AMD. The study visits are scheduled to occur every 6 months. The anticipated duration of the study is up to 48 months. There is a planned interim analysis around the 2-year time window for the study.
A Study of Disease Progression in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related...
Geographic AtrophyThis study seeks to better characterize relationships between visual function and the progression (worsening) of geographic atrophy (GA) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study also will generate new information on the relationship between genetics and GA progression. This is a global, prospective, multicenter, epidemiologic study enrolling 200 participants with GA secondary to AMD. The study visits are scheduled to occur every 6 months. The anticipated duration of the study is up to 60 months.
Study of Subretinal Implantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells in Advanced Dry...
Dry Macular DegenerationGeographic AtrophyThe Phase I/IIa clinical trial is designed to assess the feasibility of delivery and safety of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells on a parylene membrane (CPCB-RPE1) in patients with advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration. Primary Objective: • To test the safety and tolerability of CPCB-RPE1 during and after subretinal implantation in patients with geographic atrophy with evidence of involvement of the central fovea. Secondary Objective: • To assess visual acuity, visual field, and retinal function after CPCB-RPE1 implantation. Implanted and fellow eyes will be compared post-implantation to assess the ability of the implant to prevent disease progression. Exploratory Objectives: • To assess the feasibility of measuring the change in area of geographic atrophy over time using spectral domain optical coherence tomography or fundus autofluorescence.
Measuring Geographic Atrophy in AMD Patients Using the Nidek MP-3 Microperimetry Device
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)The investigators would like to know if different imaging devices can improve the quality of images and visualization of imaged tissues. Also, the investigators would like to find out whether these changes are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Using images of previous participants will allow us to demonstrate the advancement of different technologies, as well be used to allow comparisons between current technologies.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Cirrus HD-OCT Measurements of Illumination Areas Under the...
Advanced Dry AMD With Geographic AtrophyThe objective of this study is to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of the Cirrus HD-OCT measurement of illumination areas under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
Directional Spread in Geographic Atrophy
Nonexudative Age-related Macular DegenerationAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in industrial countries. In the late stages of the disease, neovascular changes or the development of geographic atrophy (GA) may induce severe visual loss. GA is characterized by the development of areas of outer retinal atrophy with continuous spread over time that is corresponded to an visual field defect for the patient. The pathogenesis is still incompletely understood. Despite the break-through in the treatment of neovascular AMD by intravitreally administrated vascular endothelial growths factor (VEGF) inhibitors, there is yet no treatment available to slow down or halt the disease process in GA. We and others have demonstrated that the total GA area progression shows large differences between patients. Potential factors influencing differential progression have been intensely studied: While neither systemic nor genetic factors have been shown to influence GA progression, ocular characteristics such as GA baseline size or phenotypic features of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) abnormalities have been identified as risk characteristics for increased GA progression. While these previous studies have mainly focused on the characterization of total GA area progression, topographic directional spread has not been analyzed and relevant predictive markers are yet unknown. There may be large differences in the local GA progression. The primary objective of this study is to identify specific characteristics, for the local GA progression. The knowledge of such risk factors may help to better understand the pathogenesis of GA. The identification of predictive markers will allow for better prognostic assessment of the individual disease process. The DSGA study is the extension trial of the FAM (Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-related Macular Degeneration) study (NCT00393692).
Sparing of the Fovea in Geographic Atrophy Progression
AtrophyGeographic Atrophy2 moreDry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause for severe visual loss in the elderly and represents an unmet need. So far no treatment is available for geographic atrophy (GA), which represents the advanced dry form characterized by expanding areas of outer retinal atrophy with corresponding absolute scotoma. The foveal retina may be spared until late in the course of the disease, a phenomenon termed "foveal sparing". However, the disease process ultimately also involves the central retina leading to irreversible loss of central vision. While the natural history of eyes with GA has been extensively studied with regard to the entire atrophic area, morphology-function analyses for "foveal sparing" GA in particular are still missing. Such data are needed for various purposes including the future use in interventional pharmacological trials aiming to slow the progression of GA and to preserve the foveal retina. In this study, different imaging modalities for accurate detection and quantification of preserved foveal retinal areas will be assessed.