Corneal Dystrophy

Researchers are evaluating the first use of a new imaging technology called 4D Microscope Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography (4D MIOCT) combined with a Zeiss Artevo 800 surgical microscope during eye surgeries. This study focuses on adult patients undergoing clinically indicated surgery for various eye diseases, aiming to assess how easy the system is to use, its safety, and how well it visualizes the eye's structures during both front and back segment procedures. The study involves using the investigational 4D MIOCT device integrated into the Zeiss Artevo 800 microscope to capture detailed images of the eye during surgery. This imaging is performed in the operating room as part of the standard surgical care, with no additional treatment or interventions added. Up to eight patients may be enrolled, and images will be taken of one or both eyes during surgery to observe normal and abnormal microanatomy, as well as track any injections under the retina. Participants will have their eye imaged during surgery, and researchers will collect related clinical data and previous eye care records for comparison. The images and data will be analyzed after surgery to explore new details captured by the 4D MIOCT system. Researchers will measure ease of use, surgical workflow impact, and the presence of normal and abnormal microanatomy based on the images. There is no extra risk beyond the usual surgery, and no new medications or procedures will be performed solely for research purposes.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and clinical activity of different doses of belantamab mafodotin combined with lenalidomide, dexamethasone, and nirogacestat in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not able to undergo a transplant. This phase 1/2, open-label study aims to find the recommended dose for future studies and to explore how to manage eye-related side effects. About 36 participants will be enrolled, with follow-up lasting up to 3 to 4 years after enrollment ends. Belantamab mafodotin is given intravenously every other 28-day cycle at doses ranging from 1.0 to 1.9 mg/kg. Lenalidomide is taken orally daily on days 1 to 21 of each 28-day cycle. Dexamethasone is given either orally or intravenously on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each cycle, with dose adjustments based on age. Nirogacestat is taken twice daily starting three days before the first dose and on the same days as belantamab mafodotin. The study has two parts: dose finding to establish the best dose, followed by dose expansion with random assignment to different dose modification guidelines for eye side effects. Participants will undergo regular assessments to monitor side effects, including eye exams, and overall response to treatment. Researchers will track dose-limiting toxicities, adverse events, ocular toxicity, and response rates over up to four years. Additional evaluations include measuring drug levels, disease progress, and survival. Participants must provide consent and will be closely monitored throughout the study period, which is expected to last approximately four years in total.

Researchers are evaluating the potential of a new technique called Brillouin microscopy to diagnose corneal conditions such as keratoconus and ectasia. The study compares the biomechanical properties of corneas in people with keratoconus, those with post-LASIK ectasia, and individuals with normal corneas. This observational study aims to better understand differences in corneal tissue using this advanced imaging method. Participants include volunteers with normal corneas, patients diagnosed with various stages of keratoconus, individuals who had LASIK surgery with or without complications, people scheduled for PRK or LASIK surgery, and patients with Fuch's endothelial corneal dystrophy. The study involves axial scans of the cornea using Brillouin imaging to assess and compare corneal biomechanics across these groups. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria apply to each group based on diagnosis, prior surgeries, and other eye health factors. During the study, participants undergo corneal imaging to measure the cornea's elastic modulus, reflecting its biomechanical properties. Researchers monitor these properties over time to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of Brillouin microscopy. Participants will be assessed for corneal health through topography, pachymetry, and clinical evaluations, with the study lasting several years to gather comprehensive data. The research team also excludes individuals unable to understand imaging instructions or with certain eye conditions to ensure accurate measurements.

Researchers are studying the accuracy of measuring total corneal astigmatism compared to the actual corneal astigmatism under different regional measurement settings. This observational study focuses on patients who have undergone phacoemulsification surgery, with or without the implantation of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs), and have a certain degree of corneal astigmatism. The goal is to find the best region setting for measuring corneal astigmatism accurately. Participants with corneal astigmatism will have various eye measurements taken using specialized devices. These include total corneal astigmatism and anterior chamber depth measured by a Scheimpflug tomographer, pupil size assessed by the itrace and MONCV3 devices, and residual astigmatism evaluated through subjective refraction. The study observes these measurements at least one month after their cataract surgery. During the study, participants will undergo eye exams and tests to collect the necessary data. Researchers will analyze differences in vectorial measurements, pupil sizes, residual astigmatism, and anterior chamber depth to determine measurement accuracy. The study monitors these outcomes to optimize corneal astigmatism measurement methods. Participation duration varies depending on individual schedules and follow-up visits.

Researchers are investigating the immediate effects of cigarette smoking on the cornea's structure and measurements in healthy adults aged 18 to 60 years. This prospective, controlled study compares smokers and non-smokers to see if short-term smoking causes measurable changes in corneal tomography and biometric parameters. The study includes 46 smokers and 46 non-smokers to better understand how acute smoking exposure might affect eye health. Participants are divided into two groups: active smokers and non-smokers. Both groups undergo initial full eye examinations and measurements using a Pentacam device focused on the right eye to avoid data overlap. After baseline measurements, participants spend 10 minutes outdoors under standard conditions; smokers smoke during this period while non-smokers do not. The same eye measurements are taken immediately after this exposure period to compare changes within and between the groups. Throughout the study, participants undergo detailed eye exams and Pentacam imaging to measure corneal thickness and densitometry at the pupil center before and after the smoking or non-smoking exposure. Researchers monitor changes in these parameters to assess the acute impact of smoking on eye structures. The study duration includes baseline assessment, the 10-minute exposure period, and immediate post-exposure measurements to capture short-term effects.

Researchers are studying adaptive optics, a new imaging technology, to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye diseases affecting the retina. The study involves both people over age 12 with various eye diseases and healthy volunteers over age 12 to compare retinal images between diseased and normal eyes. The goal is to find better ways to detect retinal problems earlier than current methods allow. Participants will undergo eye exams including pupil dilation and adaptive optics imaging, where they look into a special instrument that captures high-resolution images of the retina. Some may also have additional tests like perimetry, color vision tests, and electroretinograms using numbing eye drops and special contact lenses. This observational study plans to enroll a total of 600 participants over five years, with 350 having eye diseases and 250 healthy volunteers. During the study visits, participants will provide medical and eye history and information about their medications. Researchers will assess the adaptive optics images qualitatively and quantitatively to compare normal and diseased retinal states. The study includes regular eye exams and imaging assessments, with the primary outcome focused on evaluating these adaptive optics images. Participation involves one or more visits, with detailed eye examinations and imaging procedures to monitor retinal health.

Researchers are evaluating a new handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) device designed to automatically align with the eye to capture detailed retinal images. This pilot study aims to assess this advanced imaging technology in healthy adult volunteers, adult patients, and pediatric patients with eye and retinal diseases, addressing current challenges in imaging uncooperative patients, especially children. The study is observational and led by Duke University, focusing on improving imaging speed, alignment, and data quality for retinal assessment. The study uses a Swept Source OCT system with enhanced hand-held probe technology that auto-aligns to the patient’s eye and detects image quality in real time, automatically saving optimal images. Participants include 20 healthy adults, 20 adult patients, and 10 pediatric patients from ophthalmology clinics. Imaging will be performed during clinical visits, with up to four single imaging sessions over two years to capture detailed retinal structure and blood flow. Participants will undergo retinal imaging using the handheld OCT device during their clinical visits. Researchers will analyze images for retinal microanatomy abnormalities and retinal thickness at specific eye regions, collecting data securely for further analysis. The study will monitor outcomes over multiple sessions for up to two years, with no known risks reported from prior handheld OCT use. The total participation duration depends on the number of imaging sessions completed within the study timeframe.

Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia, which is generally safe but can cause pain, anxiety, and discomfort for some patients. This research evaluates the effect of oral anti-anxiety medication, specifically Alprazolam, on improving patient satisfaction during second eye cataract surgery. The study aims to clarify whether oral sedation can reduce pain, anxiety, and side effects like nausea and dizziness compared to no sedation during phacoemulsification. Patients will receive either a single oral dose of Alprazolam or a placebo tablet 30 minutes before surgery. The dose of Alprazolam is 0.5 mg for most patients, with a reduced 0.25 mg dose for those over 65 years or with liver disease. The study compares these groups to assess how oral sedation affects anxiety, pain, and surgical satisfaction. This is an extension study involving patients undergoing surgery on their second eye with topical anesthesia. During the trial, participants will complete questionnaires assessing pain, anxiety, and overall satisfaction before and after surgery. Researchers will monitor intraoperative discomfort and postoperative anxiety levels. Data from approximately 250 patients will be collected and analyzed for these outcomes. This study runs from March 2025 to December 2027, focusing on improving cataract surgery experiences safely and conveniently.

Researchers are investigating the genotype and phenotype relationships in Fuchs' Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy (FECD), one of the most common corneal endothelial dystrophies. This study aims to better understand the diverse clinical and histological forms of FECD by analyzing how genetic abnormalities relate to these variations. The study focuses on the genetic and histological factors that contribute to the formation of corneal endothelial abnormalities. Participants with FECD will undergo genetic testing to measure the triple nucleotide repeat in the TCF4 gene and check for other known mutations through blood samples. Histological analysis will be performed on Descemet membrane samples taken after Descemetorhexis surgery. Additionally, clinical data including slit lamp examination results will be collected to aid diagnosis. The study is observational and involves collecting data and samples from patients requiring endothelial keratoplasty. During the study, participants will have various eye assessments such as refraction, corneal thickness measured by Optical Coherence Tomography, pupil diameter, lens thickness, anterior chamber depth, and endothelial cell density after surgery. Researchers will analyze genetic markers like the CTG triplet repeats in the TCF4 gene and mutation frequencies. Participant involvement includes signing consent and providing blood samples, with data collected at inclusion and post-surgery timepoints. The study will monitor these outcomes to enhance understanding of FECD and its genetic factors.

Researchers are developing and managing the AnovaOS Network Powered Patient Registry to collect real-world patient data across various diseases globally. This registry aims to capture meaningful clinical information on diagnosis, infection course, treatments, and outcomes to enhance understanding and support future clinical trials and observational studies. The registry serves as a resource to better understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat diverse health conditions. Participants' data will be gathered through this registry, which can also be used to recruit individuals for clinical trials and observational studies on promising therapies. The registry collects ongoing information on patients' health status and treatments, enabling long-term monitoring and analysis. This observational study does not involve administering treatments but focuses on data collection and management. Participants will provide information through questionnaires or instruments, either personally or via an informed proxy, with an expected follow-up once per year. The research team will assess natural history, clinical effectiveness, safety, and quality of care over a period of five years. The registry includes patients with a wide range of conditions, and participation requires informed consent and the ability to complete follow-up data collection.