5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Macular telangiectasia type 2 ("MacTel Type 2") is an uncommon eye disorder that results in slow vision loss beginning in middle age. The macula is the central part of the retina, which lines the back of the eye like the film of a camera. The macula is responsible for central or reading vision. Telangiectasis refers to dilated, leaky vessels, for example varicose veins in the legs. One of the earliest manifestations of macular telangiectasia type 2 is an acquired reduction and/or redistribution of the macular pigment carotenoids at the foveal center. Currently, the biochemical mechanisms and clinical significance underlying these changes are not known, but it seems likely that better understanding of this phenomenon could lead to new interventions against MacTel. The objectives of this study are to image the maculas of MacTel subjects using two-wavelength autofluorescence imaging and resonance Raman imaging to target the 7-degree radius pigment ring characteristic of macular telangiectasia type 2 in order to gain further insight into the significance of this early clinical sign, and to evaluate whether supplementation with oral zeaxanthin can normalize macular pigment distribution in MacTel subjects
This study is a phase 1, open label, non-randomized, multi-center, pilot study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of NT-501 implants in 5-7 study participants with Mactel.
This study will examine whether the drug ranibizumab is an effective treatment for macular telangiectasia, a condition in which existing blood vessels near the macula (the back part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision) become dilated and twisted, and new abnormal blood vessels may form under the retina. Both the existing dilated vessels, as well the new subretinal vessels can leak fluid and blood, distort the retina, and affect vision. This study will see if ranibizumab can slow or stop the leakage and growth of existing, dilated, macular vessels in cases where new vessel formation under the retina is absent. Patients 18 years of age and older who have macular telangiectasia without new blood vessel formation may be eligible for this study. Visual acuity must be 20/40 or worse. Participants receive at least four injections of ranibizumab into the eye over a 12-week period. After the fourth injection, additional injections may be given every 4 weeks for up to 1 year if the doctor determines that they may be of benefit. In addition to ranibizumab treatment, patients undergo the following procedures: * Medical history and physical examination. * Eye examination, including dilation of the pupils and measurement of the fluid pressure in the eye. * Fluorescein angiogram: A yellow dye is injected into an arm vein and travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. Photographs of the retina are taken with a special camera that flashes a blue light into the eye. The photos show whether any dye has leaked from the vessels into the retina. * Indocyanine green angiography: This procedure identifies feeder vessels that may be supplying the abnormal blood vessels. The test is similar to fluorescein angiography, but uses a green dye and flashes an invisible light. * Autofluorescence imaging: This test examines how well the retina functions. The back of the eye is photographed with a bright light. * Optical coherence tomography: This test measures retinal thickness. A light shined into the eye produces cross-sectional pictures of the retina. The measurements are repeated during the study to determine if retinal thickening is getting better or worse, or staying the same. * Stereoscopic color fundus photography: The pupils are dilated and special photographs of the inside of the eye are taken to evaluate the retina and measure changes that occur over time. The camera flashes a bright light into the eye for each picture. * Follow-up visits: The doctor evaluates the effects of the study treatment before and after each injection. Patients are contacted by phone 3 days after each injection to check on any treatment side effects. A final follow-up visit is scheduled 8 weeks after the last treatment.
This study will examine whether the drug ranibizumab is an effective treatment for macular telangiectasia, a condition in which existing blood vessels near the macula (the back part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision) become dilated and twisted, and new abnormal blood vessels may form under the retina. Both the existing dilated vessels, as well the new subretinal vessels can leak fluid and blood, distort the retina, and affect vision. This study will see if ranibizumab can slow or stop the leakage and growth of new vessels forming under the retina. Patients 18 years of age and older who have macular telangiectasia in both eyes and new blood vessel formation under the retina in at least one eye may be eligible for this study. Visual acuity must be 20/40 or worse. Participants receive at least four injections of ranibizumab into the eye over a 12-week period. After the fourth injection, additional injections may be given every 4 weeks for up to 1 year if the doctor determines that they may be of benefit. In addition to ranibizumab treatment, patients undergo the following procedures: * Medical history and physical examination. * Eye examination, including dilation of the pupils and measurement of the fluid pressure in the eye. * Fluorescein angiogram: A yellow dye is injected into an arm vein and travels to the blood vessels in the eyes. Photographs of the retina are taken with a special camera that flashes a blue light into the eye. The photos show whether any dye has leaked from the vessels into the retina. * Indocyanine green angiography: This procedure identifies feeder vessels that may be supplying the abnormal blood vessels. The test is similar to fluorescein angiography, but uses a green dye and flashes an invisible light. * Autofluorescence imaging: This test examines how well the retina functions. The back of the eye is photographed with a bright light. * Optical coherence tomography: This test measures retinal thickness. A light shined into the eye produces cross-sectional pictures of the retina. The measurements are repeated during the study to determine if retinal thickening is getting better or worse, or staying the same. * Stereoscopic color fundus photography: The pupils are dilated and special photographs of the inside of the eye are taken to evaluate the retina and measure changes that occur over time. The camera flashes a bright light into the eye for each picture. * Follow-up visits: The doctor evaluates the effects of the study treatment before and after each injection. Patients are contacted by phone 3 days after each injection to check on any treatment side effects. A final follow-up visit is scheduled 8 weeks after the last treatment.
This research is being done to look at the effects of an experimental drug, ranibizumab, for the treatment of a condition called "idiopathic parafoveal telangiectasia" or IPT. IPT is caused by swelling in the retina (the light sensitive tissue in the back of the eye) due to leaky blood vessels in this area. Swelling in the retina can lead to blurry vision.