Active clinical trials for "Iritis"

This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody called humanized anti-Tac (HAT, also called daclizumab) to treat children and adolescents with uveitis (chronic inflammatory eye disease) associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Monoclonal antibodies are genetically engineered proteins made in large quantities and directed against a specific target in the body. The HAT antibody is designed to prevent a specific chemical interaction needed for immune cells to produce inflammation. Current treatments for uveitis include steroids and immune-suppressing drugs. These treatments do not always work or they may cause significant side effects. This study will determine whether daclizumab can improve uveitis in children and reduce the need for other medicines. Patients between 6 and 18 years of age with active non-infectious JIA-associated uveitis requiring treatment with anti-inflammatory medications as often as three times a day or more may be eligible for this study. Each candidate is screened with a medical history, physical examination, blood tests, eye examination, and the following specialized tests: Fluorescein angiography to evaluate the eye's blood vessels. A yellow dye is injected into an arm vein and travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. Pictures of the retina are taken using a camera that flashes a blue light into the eye. The pictures show if any dye has leaked from the vessels into the retina, indicating the presence of inflammation. Optical coherence tomography to measure retinal thickness. The eyes are examined through a machine that produces cross-sectional pictures of the retina. These measures are repeated during the study to determine changes, if any, in retinal thickening. Stereoscopic color fundus photography to examine the back of the eye. The pupils are dilated with eye drops to examine and photograph the back of the eye. Upon entering the study, participants receive a 90-minute infusion of daclizumab through a catheter (plastic tube) placed in an arm vein. They return to the clinic after 14 days and again after 28 days for repeat eye examinations, blood tests, and daclizumab infusions. Four weeks after the third infusion, patients are examined for response to treatment. Those who have benefited from daclizumab may continue receiving monthly infusions of the drug for up to one year. A blood test and eye examination are done at the time of each infusion. Patients whose disease has remained active 12 weeks after the first infusion are taken off the study and treated with other medications.

The investigators plan to use an herbal eye drop, Euphrasia, aka Eyebright, for post-operative inflammation for Peripheral Laser Iridotomy for the treatment of narrow angle glaucoma. A peripheral Laser Iridotomy is a simple laser procedure with few complications if the patient follows the post-operative instructions. In this procedure, a blue-green Argon laser is used to create an orifice in the iris to open the angle by allowing the aqueous from behind the iris to enter the anterior chamber. Rarely the procedure needs to be repeated. The main complications from this surgery are postoperative inflammation, bleeding, and postoperative pressure spikes. The investigators will be using Weleda's Euphrasia D3 eye drops. The investigators plan to do a double blinded randomized control trial to objectively measure ocular inflammation in the same process that was used for the steroid eye drops that are currently out on the market. Some patients will be receiving steroids, prednisolone acetate, others, the herbal eye drop.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a medical device (ActiPatch) that emits a low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) will benefit patients with anterior uveitis. Anterior uveitis (aka iritis) is an inflammatory disease involving the front segment of the eye. This is a common cause of a painful red eye, and ActiPatch has been shown to be effective in treating tissue inflammation. The conventional treatment of iritis typically involves frequent administration of topical steroids which have their own inherent risks (development of cataracts and/or glaucoma). The purpose of this study is to determine if ActiPatch therapy can be used to shorten the length of time and/or quantity of steroids administered.

Retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an established technology which enables a detailed cross-sectional visualization of the retinal micro-anatomy, and an objective measurement of its thickness in-vivo. Multifocal electroretinogram (MfERG) measures function of the central retina. Both technologies are relatively new and they provide complimentary to each other information on retinal anatomy and function. The aims of this study is to establish normal ranges for OCT and mfERG measurements related to age, gender and reproductive factors such as parity and the use of contraception in Norwegians; to assess the presumably healthy central retina with the use of anti-inflammatory medication with relation to age and sex ; to study the frequency and extent of retinal thickening and change in retinal function in patients with anterior uveitis not complicated with macular edema; to assess whether the presence of the HLA-B27 haplotype or uveitis recidive affects macular thickening/function in uveitis.

This screening protocol is designed to facilitate patient recruitment to National Eye Institute (NEI) clinical research studies. Patients must meet specific requirements of a research study; this protocol serves as a first step for admitting patients to an appropriate program. Candidates may have a diagnosed or undiagnosed eye condition. They will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, eye examination and blood test. Other screening procedures may include routine laboratory tests, non-invasive imaging, and questionnaires. The eye examination includes measurement of eye pressure and dilation of the pupils to fully examine the lens, vitreous and retina. Specialized eye tests will be done only if needed to determine eligibility for a specific study. When the screening is completed, patients will be informed of their options to participate in a study. Patients who are found ineligible for a current study will be informed of alternative treatments or options. No treatment is offered under this protocol.

This study offers evaluation and treatment for patients with inflammatory eye diseases, such as uveitis. The protocol is not designed to test new treatments; rather, patients will receive current standard of care treatments. The purpose of the study is twofold: 1) to allow National Eye Institute physicians to increase their knowledge of inflammatory eye conditions and identify new avenues of possible research in this area; and 2) to establish a pool of patients who may be eligible for new studies as they are developed. (Participants in this protocol will not be required to join a new study; the decision will be voluntary.) Children and adults with uveitis and other inflammatory eye diseases may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, brief physical examination, thorough eye examination and blood tests. The eye examination includes measurements of visual acuity (ability to see the vision chart), eye pressure and dilation of the pupils to examine the lens and retina (back part of the eye). Patients may also undergo the following procedures: Fundus photography - Special photographs of the inside of the eye to help evaluate the status of the retina and evaluate changes that may occur in the future. From 2 to 20 pictures may be taken, depending on the eye condition. The camera flashes a bright light into the eye for each picture. Fluorescein angiography - Procedure to evaluate the eye's blood vessels. A yellow dye injected into an arm vein travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. Pictures of the retina are taken using a camera that flashes a blue light into the eye. The pictures show if any dye has leaked from the vessels into the retina, indicating possible blood vessel abnormality. Participants will be followed at least 3 years. Follow-up visits are scheduled according to the standard of care for the individual patient's eye problem. Vision will be checked at each visit, and some of the screening tests described above may be repeated to follow the progress of disease and evaluate the response to treatment.