Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study
University of California, San Diego
Summary
The overarching goal of our research study is to evaluate changes in visual function and optic nerve topography (the structure of the back of the eye) in patients with glaucoma (increased susceptibility to pressure inside the eye that can cause loss of vision) or those with an increased risk of developing the disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the best methods for detecting the presence or progression (worsening over time) of glaucoma in patients with and without myopia and its effects on daily and visual function and quality of life. With several sources of NIH and foundation funding over the last twenty years we have designed a robust research protocol to address the most challenging aspects of glaucoma management. The most recent focus of this research is 1) to improve our ability to detect open angle glaucoma in individuals with myopia and in individuals of European and African descent, 2) to determine whether monitoring of the retinal vasculature with new optical imaging instruments can improve glaucoma management and elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease, and 3) to differentiate between age-related changes and glaucomatous progression. The grants supporting this project include 3 NIH funded studies, 1) the University of California, San Diego UCSD -based "Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study" (DIGS funded since 1995): 2) the "African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study" (ADAGES funded since 2002), 3) the Brightfocus Foundation National Glaucoma Research Program and 4) the UCSD-based "Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography" (funded since 2018). The ADAGES is a multi-center study with data collection also conducted at 2 other academic sites, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Columbia University. Enrolled healthy participants, glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients are generally asked to return for two or more visits a year for several years. We then analyze whether the glaucoma patients are progressing and what factors influence their glaucoma status compared to healthy subjects and individuals suspected of having glaucoma.
Description
The Diagnostic Innovation in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) and ADAGES are longitudinal studies in which participants with or without myopia are examined approximately biannually, in most cases. Healthy controls with or without myopia are examined once, in most cases. The ADAGES recruitment and testing of individuals of African descent is an independently funded multi-center (including UCSD, Columbia University, and University of Alabama, Birmingham) study, which follows the same study protocol as the DIGS to ensure that the data from both studies can be analyzed together. This harmonization of protoco…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion: * Subjects are healthy controls with or without myopia, and patients with or without myopia with a diagnosis of glaucoma, glaucoma suspect and ocular hypertension * They will be considered if they are above 18 years old. * There is no upper age limit * Subject are not restricted by gender, race or ethnicity. Exclusion: -Participants with other ocular or systemic conditions and treatment, which may affect visual function, are excluded.
Location
- UCSD, Hamilton Glaucoma CenterLa Jolla, California