Impaired retinal oxygen metabolism and perfusion are accompanied by plasma protein and lipid alterations in recovered COVID-19 patients.
Viktoria Pai, Andrea Bileck, Nikolaus Hommer...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600099Actively Recruiting
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05650905
Retinal Neurovascular Coupling in Patients Previously Infected With COVID-19
Led by Medical University of Vienna · Updated on 2025-05-16
90
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying retinal neurovascular coupling and blood flow in adults who have recovered from COVID-19, those with long COVID-19, and healthy individuals matched by age and sex. The study aims to understand if COVID-19 causes lasting changes in the retina, which reflects brain and vascular health, since COVID-19 affects both the nervous system and blood vessels. This research evaluates retinal vessel responses to flicker light and assesses structural and functional retinal changes. Participants will be divided into three groups: those previously infected with COVID-19, those with long COVID-19 per WHO guidelines, and healthy controls without a history of COVID-19. Retinal neurovascular coupling, vessel diameters, and oxygen saturation will be measured using the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer. Retinal blood velocities and flow will be assessed with Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. Other devices like optical coherence tomography and laser speckle flowgraphy will measure retinal thickness, vessel density, and blood flow parameters. Proteomics and metabolites will be analyzed from blood, tear fluid, and finger sweat samples. During the study visit, participants will undergo various retinal imaging and blood flow measurements, including retinal vessel response to flicker light, oxygen saturation, and retinal thickness assessment. Proteomics and metabolite levels will be collected before and during the visit. Researchers will monitor retinal neurovascular coupling as the primary outcome and evaluate secondary measures such as vessel diameters, blood flow, and retinal structure. The study includes healthy volunteers aged 18 and older, with assessments conducted on one day.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Retinal Neurovascular Coupling in Patients Previously Infected With COVID-19
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Men and women aged over 18 years
- Non-smokers
- For healthy controls: no history of COVID-19 infection, negative PCR and antibody tests, normal eye health with ametropy less than 6 diopters
- For COVID-19 history subjects: positive PCR test within 6 months, positive antibody tests, negative PCR at study
- For long COVID-19 subjects: positive PCR test, positive antibody tests, negative PCR at study, long COVID-19 per WHO guidelines
- Normal medical history unless clinically irrelevant
You will not qualify if you...
- Symptoms of relevant illness within 3 weeks before study day
- Severe medical conditions as judged by investigator
- Participation in another clinical trial within 3 weeks
- Blood donation within 3 weeks
- History or family history of epilepsy
- Eye conditions preventing reliable measurements
- Best corrected visual acuity under 0.8 Snellen
- Ametropy greater than 6 diopters (COVID-19 groups)
- Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or lactation
- Diabetes mellitus (long COVID-19 group)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Diagnostic Evaluation
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo retinal and blood assessments using specialized devices and sample collection to evaluate neurovascular coupling and related parameters.
1 visit (in-person)
Long-term Monitoring
Duration - Up to 2 weeks before main visit
Participants provide blood samples for proteomics and metabolite analysis in the two weeks leading up to the main assessment day.
Multiple sample collections before main visit
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of Vienna, Department of Clinical Pharmacology
Vienna, State of Vienna, Austria, 1090
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How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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