CompletedPhase 4ACTRN12611001191987

The Predicting Glaucoma Progression Project

A study to examine the utility of an Ibopamine challenge test, to differentiate glaucoma patients whose disease is progressively worsening from those whose disease is stable.

Sponsor

John Landers

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Jul 2, 2012

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Glaucoma

Summary

Glaucoma is a blinding eye disease which can be treated by lowering eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP). However some patients continue to get worse despite having an acceptably lowered IOP. IOP is determined by the production of aqueous fluid within the eye and the rate at which aqueous leaves the eye through the trabecular meshwork (TM). The eye-drop medication Ibopamine which temporarily increases aqueous production, has no effect on normal patients; however those with glaucoma will exhibit a rise in IOP when Ibopamine is applied. Possibly, patients whose glaucoma is progressively worsening despite having a low IOP measured in the clinic will demonstrate a larger increase in IOP with Ibopamine drops. We would like to recruit two groups of patients: one with glaucoma which is progressively deteriorating despite lowered IOP and one with stable glaucoma. We would then like to compare the change in their IOP when Ibopamine drops are applied to their eyes. Our aim is to validate this as a new test to predict which glaucoma patients will progress.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 90 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study aims to predict which patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) will experience disease progression versus those who will remain stable. Participants aged 18 to 90 must have documented POAG with at least 24 months of visual field testing history. People with other forms of glaucoma or prior intraocular surgery (except cataract) are excluded.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is dependent on the balance between the production of aqueous fluid within the eye and the rate at which aqueous leaves the eye through the trabecular meshwork (TM) in the angle of the eye’s anterior chamber. The medication Ibopamine (Trazyl: Pharmainvest SpA, Milano, Italy) which is a dopamine receptor agonist, will temporarily increase aqueous production and dilate the pupil. A healthy eye with healthy TM cells will overcome this increase, pump aqueous out of the eye at an increased rated and the patient will demonstrate no IOP rise when Ibopamine drops are applied topically to the eye, however there is evidence that those with glaucoma will exhibit a rise in IOP. It may be that patients whose glaucoma is progressively worsening, will demonstrate a larger increase in IOP when Ibopamine drops are applied topically to their eye compared with stable patients. To undertake an Ibopamine challenge, the patient has their IOP measured and recorded using goldmann applanation tonometry seated at the slit lamp; they then had two drops of Ibopamine 2% solution instilled into their eye; lastly their IOP is re-measured 45 minutes after receiving the Ibopamine eye drops and the IOP results pre and post the challenge are compared.