RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Study of OCT Peripapillary Angiography in Patients With Advanced Glaucoma

This research is investigating a new way to monitor glaucoma, an eye condition that can cause irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and progressively reduces vision. The study focuses on advanced glaucoma patients and aims to understand how their condition changes over three years using a special eye scan called Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTa). This scan looks at tiny blood vessels in the eye. Researchers will compare OCTa results with traditional eye tests, like visual field tests and another type of OCT scan, to see which methods are best at tracking the progression of glaucoma. The goal is to find better ways to detect changes early and manage this challenging eye disease.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Nantes University Hospital

Enrolment target

Start

27 Apr 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Glaucoma

What is this study about?

This study is about understanding how glaucoma affects people over time, especially those with advanced forms of the condition. Glaucoma is a serious eye disease where the nerve that connects your eye to your brain (called the optic nerve) gets damaged. This damage can lead to a gradual loss of vision, starting from the edges of your sight and sometimes affecting your central vision too. It's a common cause of blindness, and once vision is lost, it usually can't be restored.

Doctors have different ways to check for glaucoma and see if it's getting worse. One common test is a 'visual field test,' which checks for blind spots in your vision. Another is a regular OCT scan, which measures the thickness of your optic nerve. This study is excited about a newer type of scan called Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTa). This special scan creates detailed pictures of the tiny blood vessels around your optic nerve.

The main aim of this research is to compare how well these three types of tests – the visual field test, the regular OCT, and the new OCTa scan – show changes in glaucoma over a three-year period. By doing this, researchers hope to discover if the OCTa scan can provide valuable new information that helps doctors track glaucoma more effectively and potentially detect progression earlier. This could lead to better management and care for people living with glaucoma.

Key takeaways

The study aims to understand glaucoma progression using new imaging.
It focuses on advanced glaucoma patients over a three-year period.
Compares a new OCT scan (OCTa) with standard eye tests.
Hopes to find better ways to track glaucoma changes.
No new treatments are given; it's an observational study.
Participation involves regular eye scans and vision tests.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a man or woman aged 18 or older. You must also be a patient who is already being treated for glaucoma at the ophthalmology department of Nantes University Hospital in France. An important requirement is that your glaucoma must be considered 'advanced,' which means a specific measurement of your visual field (called 'mean visual field deficit' or MD) needs to be greater than 10dB.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have other serious eye conditions that affect your blood vessels or cause vision loss, like certain types of diabetic eye disease or macular degeneration, or if you've had certain eye surgeries like retinal panphotocoagulation, you wouldn't be eligible. Conditions that cause vision problems not related to glaucoma, such as certain brain conditions (like a stroke that affects vision), would also prevent you from participating.

Other reasons for not being able to take part include issues that would make eye scans or tests difficult or unreliable. This means things like severe cataracts or active eye inflammation. Furthermore, pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot participate, nor can adults under legal guardianship. Finally, if your visual field tests are often unreliable, or if your eye scans (OCT or OCTa) are of poor quality and hard to interpret, you wouldn't be able to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you a patient with glaucoma at Nantes University Hospital?
Has your doctor told you your glaucoma is considered 'advanced' (MD > 10dB)?
Do you *not* have other serious eye conditions that could affect your vision tests (like severe diabetic eye disease or macular degeneration)?
Are you *not* pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are your regular eye tests and scans usually reliable and clear?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study involves following your eye condition over a three-year period. You'll continue to visit the ophthalmology department at Nantes University Hospital for your appointments. During these visits, the researchers will perform three main types of tests:

1. **Visual Field Tests:** These tests check for any blind spots or areas of reduced vision in your peripheral and central sight. 2. **Regular OCT Scans:** These are detailed scans of your optic nerve that measure its thickness. 3. **OCTa Scans:** This is the newer scan that looks at the blood flow in the tiny vessels around your optic nerve.

You won't be given any new medications specifically for this study. Your participation will involve having these tests done regularly over the three years to track how your glaucoma progresses. The total duration of your active involvement in the study will be three years, with follow-up scans and tests during that time.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not directly benefit you, but the information gained could help doctors better understand and treat glaucoma in the future. The tests involved, such as visual field tests and OCT scans, are standard, non-invasive procedures that are generally safe and don't carry significant risks beyond typical eye examinations. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

CHU Nantes
Verified postcode
Nantes, France· Recruiting
Jean-Baptiste Ducloyer
Verified postcode
Nantes, France· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is advanced glaucoma?

Advanced glaucoma means your condition has progressed to a certain level, usually indicating more significant damage to your optic nerve and more noticeable changes in your vision.

What is an OCT scan?

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is a special scan that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your eye, like a tiny ultrasound using light. It helps doctors see the nerve layers and blood vessels.

Will I receive new treatment in this study?

No, this study is about monitoring your glaucoma with existing and new scanning techniques, not about providing new treatments or medications.

How long will I be in the study?

Your participation in the study will last for three years, during which you'll have regular eye tests and scans.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any point, and your decision will not affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Jean-Baptiste Ducloyer, M.D

jeanbatiste.ducloyer@chu-nantes.fr 02 40 08 34 01 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.