Active clinical trials for "Macular Degeneration"

Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic degenerative retinal disease, which can lead to a progressive loss of visual acuity without affecting peripheral vision. It is a public health problem as it remains the leading cause of visual impairment in people over 50 years of age in industrialized countries. Age-related macular degeneration has two clinical forms: Atrophic or dry form: progressive disappearance of photoreceptors, alteration of the pigmentary epithelium leading to a thinning of the macula. Exudative or humid form: development of immature choroidal neo-vessels, leading to the formation of edema or intra or sub-retinal hemorrhage at the origin of the symptoms. There are still many questions about the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration, and there is currently no etiological treatment. The disorder is thought to have a multifactorial, genetic and environmental origin. Among the environmental risk factors, dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated acids and its effect on the retina are factors that influence both the incidence and progression of the disease. However, intervention studies have not been able to demonstrate the preventive value of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is likely that the precise identification of patients who could benefit from this supplementation is necessary. Currently, the estimation of dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is based on dietary surveys, which implies a number of limits. A blood biomarker of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the retina has been previously identified, which if lowered may be a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. A low level could also help to identify patients who would best respond to supplementation. A publication has been submitted and a patent has been filed for this biomarker. The objective of this project is to confirm the relationship between this biomarker and the presence of age-related macular degeneration. The analysis will be refined by correlating the discriminating character of the biomarker with factors that may influence the intestinal metabolism of dietary lipids and their bioavailability in the blood. For this purpose, the status of the subjects with regard to their intestinal flora (microbiota) will be evaluated. The relationship between lipid metabolism, microbiota and age-related macular degeneration should also provide a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that link diet, lipid metabolism and age-related macular degeneration.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the proportion of eyes that do not meet the eligibility criteria of clinical trials on neovascular AMD among the entire sample of eyes diagnosed with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD. The eligibility criteria of the VEGF Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet AMD (VIEW) studies, were used for this investigation.

This study aims to investigate in healthy adults 18-65 years of age the association of electronic device blue light exposure and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) considering usual dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) as confirmed by serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. It is hypothesised in healthy adults 18-65 years of age: Higher usual daily electronic device blue light exposure will be negatively correlated with MPOD value. Usual dietary intake of L/Z will be positively correlated with MPOD value. L/Z concentration will be positively correlated with MPOD value. Usual dietary intake of L/Z will be positively correlated with plasma L/Z concentrations. Higher usual intake of L/Z will mitigate the effect of higher electronic device exposure on MPOD value.

This study will describe the long-term safety and effectiveness, treatment patterns,and patient reported quality of life associated with ranibizumab treatment in routine clinical practice for all approved indication included in the local product label.

The purpose of this study is to determine if polymorphisms at rs11200638 on HTRA1 and rs1061170 on CFH are associated with an accelerated progression to advanced AMD (wet AMD or GA) in patients with early AMD (soft confluent drusen>120 microns ) in the study eye, and with either early AMD or advanced AMD in the non-study eye.

Background: - The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2) is looking at different eye diseases. Study participants will provide blood and saliva samples. The samples will be stored for research on eye diseases. Objectives: - To collect blood and saliva samples for AREDS 2 research. Eligibility: - AREDS 2 research study participants. Design: Participants will provide blood and saliva samples. The samples will be submitted with personal and medical information. This information will be collected during the AREDS 2 procedures.

This study will use an eye imaging test called high speed indocyanine green angiography (HS-ICG), which examines leaky vessels in the eye, to try to find out why individuals respond differently to ranibizumab (Lucentis) treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The drug was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat this disease, but the response to the treatment varies markedly among individuals. People 50 years of age and older with wet AMD and vision that meets the research protocol criteria may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following procedures: Ranibizumab injections in the study eye once a month for 4 months. Additional injections are given only if the study eye shows signs of bleeding or leaking fluid. The eye is numbed before the injection and the eye area is cleaned with an antiseptic. Antibiotic drops are used for 3 days following the injection to prevent infection. Clinic visits once a month for 2 years for evaluations to monitor the response to treatment. The evaluations may include the following examinations and tests: Eye examination with dilation, optical coherence tomography and photography: The examination measures visual acuity, thickness of your retina (the back of the eye) andeye pressure. Bright lights will also be used so that the doctor can see the back of your eye. Photographs of the eye may be taken. Fluorescein angiography to examine the blood vessels in the eye: A dye called fluorescein is injected into a vein in the arm. The dye travels through the veins to the blood vessels in the eyes. A camera takes pictures of the dye as it flows through the blood vessels. This test is done eight times during the study. Indocyanine green angiography to examine the blood vessels in the eye: The procedure is the same as for fluorescein angiography, but it uses a dye called indocyanine green. This test is done once a month for the first year of the study and then every 3 months.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component. Most importantly a genetic polymorphism in the gene encoding for the complement factor H (CFH) has been recently identified which is highly associated with an increased risk of developing AMD. This Tyr402His polymorphism located on chromosome 1q31 has been implicated to play a role in the development of the disease. Given that it is known that impaired regulation of choroidal vascular tone is present in patients with AMD, the current study seeks to investigate whether the Tyr402His polymorphism is associated with altered choroidal autoregulation in healthy subjects. For this purpose a total of 100 healthy volunteers will be included in order to test the hypothesis that an impaired regulation of choroidal blood flow is present in subjects with homozygous Tyr402His variant.

To define what procedures were used for the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment age-related macular degeneration (AMD). What is the effect of the Macugen, compliance with Macugen treatment, safety profile of Macugen, final physician assessment of treatment with Macugen.

To determine whether 50 mg of beta-carotene taken every other day reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among male U.S. physicians who were aged 40 to 84 in 1982. To investigate the possible relationship of AMD with other antioxidants, including selenium and vitamins A, C, and E. To identify potential risk factors for development of AMD. Possible risk factors include height, systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking, iris and skin color, sunlight exposure, body mass index, diabetes, and alcohol intake.