Active clinical trials for "Epiretinal Membrane"

The aim of the study is to identify morphological and functional biomarkers of post-operative recovery after vitreoretinal surgery, using decisional support systems (DSS), based on multimodal big-data analysis by means of machine learning techniques in daily clinical practice

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.

The prevalence of idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) in people over 50 is estimated at 6 to 19%. Even though most cases show very few symptomats, they may induce alterations of the underlying retina and lead to visual impairment likely to greatly diminish quality of life in patients. Thanks to the ever-improving quality of vitreo-retinal surgery, ablation of these membranes is a frequent and safe procedure allowing a functional gain in the majority of cases. Given the increasing prevalence in the population concerned and the accelerated ageing of the lens after vitrectomy, cataract surgery is often associated with removal of the membrane. On the basis of a study in 142 patients, it was possible to identify clinical and morphological prognostic factors and to inclure them in a score to assess the chances of complete functional recovery at one year following the procedure . Age of the patient, the duration of symptoms, initial visual acuity and the quality of the junction between external and internal segments of photoreceptors in optic coherence tomography (OCT) appeared as significantly related to visual results. Using this score in a new prospective cohort would allow the investigators to make it a reliable and easy-to-use tool at the service of ophthalmologist surgeons and their patients and would provide scientific confirmation of the interest of earlier surgery in this disease. It would also allow the investigators to define in a validated and reproducible manner, a threshold for an ndication for ERM surgery, which is currently based on relatively subjective criteria mostly related to visual acuity.

This study seeks to evaluate the effect of the intravitreal 0.7mg dexamethasone implant on central macular thickness and visual acuity in those patients with persistent macular edema after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) in combination with pars plana vitrectomy and membrane peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a semitranslucent, avascular, fibrocellular membrane on the inner surface along the internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina. ERM may cause symptomatic visual disturbances and vision loss. Since the 1970s, pars plana vitrectomy has been performed to remove the membranes with few complications, and surgical results are generally good. Recurrence rates of 5-16% have been reported. Recently, ILM peeling in ERM surgery have been popularized by a number of retrospective studies and one prospective case series to minimize the rate of ERM recurrences (16% recurrence in ERM surgery with ILM peel compares to 0% recurrence in ERM surgery without ILM peel). Surgical removal of the friable and transparent ILM is difficult and increases the risk of trauma to the retina. In addition, indocyanine green (ICG), a dye commonly used intra-operatively to enhance ILM visualization, is costly and has been shown to be toxic to the retina. The investigators study will be the first randomized-controlled multi-centred clinical trial to compare the outcomes of ERM surgery with and without ILM peeling. The results will help guide and standardize the surgical treatment of macular ERM; to minimize unnecessary surgical risks, as well as to help economize healthcare cost.

Main objective The objective is to compare two surgical options in vitrectomies for epiretinal membranes using parameters of optical coherence tomography angiography. Background State of the art treatment for epiretinal membranes consists of pars plana vitrectomy, staining of the epiretinal membrane with a blue colouring dye and epiretinal membrane peeling. The vitrectomized space is filled with fluid (balanced salt solution) during the procedure and the fluid can optionally be replaced with air as a final step. After ERM peeling (but before the selection of the tamponade), the internal limiting membrane (the innermost layer of the retina) is either peeled as well or left untouched and the question which method should be preferred has been a hot topic in recent years. The investigators want to investigate possible effects of the used method (peeling vs. nonpeeling) on retinal perfusion parameters represented by OCTA. Two epiretinal membrane patient groups will therefore be formed: The first group's (group 1) ILM will be peeled, the second group's (group 2) ILM will not be peeled. After recruitement, patients will therefore be electronically randomized to one of the two groups. The groups will then be compared by the means of OCTA. Study design Since there are no previous data on our research question, this investigation is defined as a pilot study. 40 patients with epiretinal membranes will be included. This appears to be a reasonable number given the incidence of epiretinal membranes. Previous studies that compared peeling versus nonpeeling in ERM used similar sample sizes. The detectable effect size was calculated at d = 0.91. We intend to complete this pilot study within 9 months. Randomization will be performed using electronic randomization. 20 patients each will be randomized to either group 1 or group 2. Both eyes in each patient will be imaged. No treatment decisions will be made based on OCTA findings. Treatment decisions will be made according to the clinic's standard of care. Three follow-up visits specific to the study are needed. These visits will be scheduled one week, one month and three months after surgery. All other preoperative and follow-up visits will be decided by the treating physician and follow the clinic standard of care. Examinations Distance visual acuity using ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) standard at 4 meters as per clinic standard of care. Tonometry as per clinic standard of care. Slit-lamp evaluation as per clinic standard of care. Arterial blood pressure. Axial eye length. Heidelberg Spectralis conventional OCT. The following 2 AngioVue scans will be taken: A. One 3mm x 3mm, 304 x 304 A-scan OCTA of the macula B. One 6mm x 6mm, 304 x 304 A-scan OCTA of the macula Hypothesis The null hypothesis of our investigation indicates that there are no statistically significant differences in OCTA perfusion parameters based on the used option. The alternative hypothesis states that there are statistically significant differences in OCTA perfusion parameters based on the used option. Primary Objective To demonstrate possible differences in OCTA perfusion parameters based on the used option. Secondary Objectives To assess the feasibility of the AngioVue optical coherence tomography angiography system in evaluating subtle changes in the retinal perfusion of patients with epiretinal membranes.

During the last decade optical coherence tomography (OCT) extended the possibilities for in vivo macula diagnostic and was increasingly used for pre- and post-operative imaging of retinal diseases. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with its increased scanning speed and image-resolution provides more detailed information of microstructures in the macula. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a disorder involving the posterior pole of the eyeball. It can be idiopathic or caused secondarily in various ocular conditions, such as uveitis, trauma, retinal detachment or retinal vascular diseases. In patients who suffer from loss of vision and metamorphopsia, vitrectomy and membrane peeling is usually performed to remove the ERM. Different study groups showed that intraoperative use of SD-OCT is possible. Two groups already achieved to work operation microscope integrated SD-OCT setup. Due to the high axial resolution of the SD-OCT some groups reported about an increased hyporeflective zone in the subfoveal region appearing directly after the membrane peeling procedure. It was hypothesized that this phenomenon could be an expression of surgical trauma, as this hyporeflective zone disappears in follow up OCT 10 days after surgery.

The epimacular membrane (EMM) is a degenerative condition associated with age, with a variable impact on vision. Treatment is surgery based and consists of a vitrectomy followed by a peeling of the epimacular membrane using a microgripper. Peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) is an adjuvant action that is now frequently practiced and which is expected to increase the success rate of EMM surgery by reducing the risk of recurrence of EMM. Although ILM peeling does not seem to have an adverse effect on visual acuity, it is not totally without consequence, it involves the risk of histological disorganization of the retina at the origin of one or several microscotomas, which are themselves responsible for a final visual discomfort. These microscotomas, resulting in the perception of somewhat black spots visible near the fixed point or the fixed image, may be highlighted by microperimetry and would be a loss of functional opportunity for the patient. In addition, recurrence of EMM, which the ILM peeling is supposed to diminish, does not alter the vision in half the patients. Furthermore, for those patients who are functionally affected by any such recurrence, a second epimacular membrane peeling surgery can be done. The main objective of this study is to compare the difference in microscotoma(s) before surgery and 6 months later, between an "active ILM peeling" group and a "no ILM peeling" group. Given the more invasive nature of ILM peeling, the investigators believe that the rate of microscotomas in these patients is higher than those without peeling.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether use of a robotic system improves the precision and therefore safety of high precision steps in retinal surgery. Two common surgical scenarios (ERM/ILM peel and sub retinal haemorrhage displacement surgery) that require a high degree of precision to avoid damage to the retina have been chosen for this trial. These steps also have been selected because they allow a clearly definable outcome measure e.g. time taken to complete a specific step in the operation. The main issue here is that the patients will be undergoing this procedure regardless of enrolment in the trial - the only difference being that for study participants the surgeon will perform parts of the operation with the assistance of the robot.