Clinical and Molecular Studies in Families With Inherited Eye Disease

NCT ID: NCT02771236

Last Updated: 2025-12-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

5000 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-10-04

Study Completion Date

2032-01-01

Brief Summary

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Background:

Genes are the basic units of heredity. When genes are changed, certain cells don t work like they should. Researchers want to try to better understand the genetic conditions that are linked with inherited eye diseases.

Objective:

To try to identify the genes linked to the development of inherited eye diseases.

Eligibility:

People ages 4 and older who have or have a family member with an inherited eye disease

Design:

Participants will be screened with medical history and medical records.

Participants will have one visit that will take 3-4 hours. This will include:

Medical and family history

Eye exam: This includes the pupil being dilated.

Electroretinography: A small electrode is taped to the forehead. Participants sit in the

dark with their eyes patched for 30 minutes. Then numbing drops and contact lenses are put in

the eyes. They will watch flashing lights.

Blood tests

Saliva sample: They will spit into a container or have the inside of their cheek swabbed.

Genetic testing will be done on participants blood or saliva.

Participants may meet with the researchers to discuss their genetic tests.

Detailed Description

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Objective: This project, Clinical and Molecular Studies in Families with Inherited Eye Disease will study inherited eye diseases, both Mendelian and complex age related inherited eye diseases, in families of many nationalities and ethnic backgrounds in order to identify the genes that, when mutated, cause inherited eye diseases and the pathophysiology through which they act. Among the diseases studied will be cataracts, corneal dystrophies and other corneal diseases, retinal degenerations, myopia and other anterior chamber defects, and glaucoma.

Study Population: Families and individuals of many nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. We will study a maximum of 5,000 participants and family members.

Design: The study consists of ascertaining individuals and especially families with multiple individuals, affected by both congenital and age related inherited eye diseases. These participants and their families will undergo detailed ophthalmological examinations to characterize their visual system and determine their affectation status. A blood sample will be collected from each individual for isolation of DNA and in some individuals for lymphoblastoid transformation to establish a renewable source of DNA. Linkage analysis, association analysis, physical mapping, and mutational screening will be carried out to identify the specific gene and the mutations in it that are associated with inherited eye disease in the family. Mutation screening may involve Sanger sequencing if a small number of candidate genes are identified, or whole genome or whole exome sequencing if more genes remain as viable candidates after the initial analysis. If necessary, the gene product will be characterized biochemically. Blood samples may also be used to complete analyses such as: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, and glucose tolerance tests. The study will enroll participants at NEI and collaborating institutions.

Outcome Measures: Linkage will be determined using the lod score method, association will be determined using standard statistical procedures to estimate p values, and mutations in specific genes will be assessed using a combination of residue conservation, blosum score, bioinformatic prediction of structural damage to the protein, and molecular modeling. Assessment of biochemical, metabolic, and physiological effects of these mutations will be individualized to the specific case.

Conditions

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Inherited Eye Disease

Keywords

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Genetics Natural History

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

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Participants with cataracts

Participants with cataracts

No interventions assigned to this group

Participants with corneal dystrophies

Participants with corneal dystrophies

No interventions assigned to this group

Participants with glaucoma

Participants with glaucoma or other anterior chamber anomalies

No interventions assigned to this group

Participants with lens refractive errors

Participants with lens refractive errors including myopia and hyperopia

No interventions assigned to this group

Participants with retinal degenerations

Participants with retinal degenerations

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Participant must be four years of age or older.
2. Participant must understand and sign the protocol s informed consent document.
3. Individuals or family members of individuals with inherited eye diseases, either congenital, childhood, or age related.
4. All participants must be able to cooperate with study examination and phlebotomy.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participant has a disease, infection, or trauma that mimics inherited cataracts, retinal degenerations, glaucoma, etc.
2. Participant has a significant active infection (an infection requiring treatment as determined by the investigator) or a history of chronic or recurrent infections.
3. Participant requires sedation for study purposes.
Minimum Eligible Age

4 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

120 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Eye Institute (NEI)

NIH

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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James F Hejtmancik, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Locations

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University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Duke University Eye Center

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Site Status WITHDRAWN

Eye Research Institute, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat Sen University

Guangzhou, , China

Site Status RECRUITING

Aravind Medical Research Foundation

Madurai, , India

Site Status WITHDRAWN

Seconda Universita di Napoli

Napoli, , Italy

Site Status WITHDRAWN

National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab

Lahore, , Pakistan

Site Status RECRUITING

University of the Philippines

Manila, , Philippines

Site Status RECRUITING

The Filatov Institute of Eye Disease and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy

Odesa, , Ukraine

Site Status RECRUITING

University of Exeter

Exeter, , United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Iran United States China India Italy Pakistan Philippines Ukraine United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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James F Hejtmancik, M.D.

Role: CONTACT

Phone: (301) 435-1598

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D.

Role: primary

For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR)

Role: primary

Leo Cubillan, M.D.

Role: primary

Andrew Crosby, PhD

Role: primary

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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16-EI-0104

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

160104

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id