Actively Recruiting
The Effects of Disulfiram (Antabuse®) on Visual Acuity in Patients With Retinal Degeneration
Led by University of Rochester · Updated on 2025-09-29
15
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
208 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Oral disulfiram (Antabuse®) has been shown to improve image-forming vision in animal models with retinal degeneration due to its ability to decrease Retinoic Acid synthesis and consequently reduce hyperactivity in the inner retina. The investigator will aim to evaluate the impact of oral disulfiram on the vision of patients with retinal degeneration who are being treated with the drug in the management of their concurrent alcohol use disorder.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Effects of Disulfiram (Antabuse®) on Visual Acuity in Patients With Retinal Degeneration
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- All sexes, 18 years and older.
- Ability to speak English, understand, and sign informed consent.
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the full study duration.
- Good general health with clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal dystrophy or dry age-related macular degeneration.
- Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) from 20/20 to Light Perception in the better eye.
- Intact inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layer on macular SD-OCT.
- Ability to take oral medication and willingness to adhere to the disulfiram regimen.
- Diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by an addiction specialist and candidate for disulfiram treatment.
- Agreement to refrain from all alcohol consumption for 180 days.
- Negative urine pregnancy test at screening for females of childbearing potential.
- Females of childbearing potential must have surgical sterilization, be completely abstinent from intercourse, or agree to use two acceptable contraception methods during the study and for one week after stopping disulfiram.
You will not qualify if you...
- Any condition that would preclude participation, such as cardiovascular disease or hepatitis.
- History of diabetes mellitus.
- History of psychosis.
- History of hypothyroidism.
- Hypersensitivity to thiuram derivatives causing rubber contact dermatitis.
- Use of anticoagulant therapy or other medications interacting with disulfiram.
- Ophthalmic conditions affecting vision independently, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, active intraocular inflammation or infection, and choroidal neovascularization.
- No Light Perception in both eyes.
- Major ocular surgery within 6 months before or anticipated within 6 months after randomization.
- Severe external eye infections such as conjunctivitis, chalazion, or significant blepharitis.
- Participation in another investigational drug trial within 30 days before randomization.
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of disulfiram.
- Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy within 12 months for women of childbearing potential.
- Planning to move away from the clinical center area during the 8-month study period.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Evan Burr
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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