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Genetics of Age-Related
Maculopathy (GARM II)
The purpose of this study is to identify
the hereditary and exposure risk factors
that lead to the development of
age-related maculopathy (ARM) in
a cohort with a family history of the
disease. The study is intended for
individuals (49 and older) who have
at least one parent with this condition,
the spouses or partners of these
individuals, and the parents themselves.
Investigators: Michael B. Gorin, MD,
PhD; and Maria Carolina Ortube, MD
Heavy Metals in Surgically
Removed Human Ocular Tissue
Faculty members are examining the
concentration of heavy metals in ocular
tissue compared to blood concentrations.
High volumes of specific heavy
metals in the vitreous have been found
to cause toxicity in the retina. Information
about the concentrations of
heavy metals in common vitreoretinal
diseases could lead to a new physiopathological
approach. Investigators:
Jean-Pierre Hubschman, MD; and
Steven D. Schwartz, MD
Incidence of Late Macular
Degeneration in Older Women
The goal of this research is to determine
the incidence of late age-related
macular degeneration (AMD), the
rate of progression of AMD, and the
association of specific risk factors such
as diabetes mellitus and prior cataract
surgery with late AMD and its progression
in older women. Investigator: Anne
L. Coleman, MD, PhD
Investigational Drug for Treatment
of Vascular Pigment Epithelial
Detachment (vPED)
The purpose of this study is to see if
the treatment of a vPED, a complication
of macular degeneration, with
ranibizumab is safe and effective
with the regular dose (0.5 mg) or
the high dose (2.0 mg). Investigators:
David Sarraf, MD; and Colin A.
McCannel, MD
Natural History Study of
Macular Telangiectasia
Investigators are collecting data about
macular telangiectasia with the goal
of acquiring more knowledge of and
developing a treatment for this rare
retinal disease. Investigators: Steven
D. Schwartz, MD; Michael B. Gorin, MD,
PhD; Jean-Pierre Hubschman, MD;
Allan E. Kreiger, MD; Tara A. McCannel,
MD, PhD; and David Sarraf, MD
Ocular Hazards from Currently
Available Light Curing Units
The purpose of this study is to assess
the potential of currently available
curing lights to cause retinal damage
to dental personnel, to evaluate the
amount of exposure to curing lights by
dental personnel, and to assess current
levels of retinal degenerative changes
in dental workers that are possibly
induced by curing lights. Investigators:
Jean-Pierre Hubschman, MD; and
Steven D. Schwartz, MD
P200CAF Autofluorescence
Ultra-Widefield Scanning Laser
Ophthalmoscope in Subjects
with Vitreoretinal Disease
This study utilizes an ultra-widefield
scanning laser ophthalmoscope with
autofluorescence (SLO-AF) to take
pictures of the retina in a noninvasive
way. Images acquired with the SLO-AF
are compared with those from other
currently available instruments to evaluate
the potentially improved resolution
for diagnosis of retinal eye diseases.
Investigators: Steven D. Schwartz, MD;
Jean-Pierre Hubschman, MD; Allan
E. Kreiger, MD; and Tara A. McCannel,
MD, PhD
Pars Plana Vitrectomy with and
without ILM Peel
This study is evaluating and comparing
possible differences in the vision, as
well as the thickness and shape of the
back of the eye, following pars plana
vitrectomy surgery with and without
internal limiting membrane peeling in
patients with complications of diabetic
retinopathy. Investigator: Jean-Pierre
Hubschman, MD
Rapid, Noninvasive, Regional
Functional Imaging of the Retina
In this study funded by the NIH,
Institute investigators are monitoring
the responses of the pupil to light as a
method for detecting regional losses
of function of the retina. The ultimate
goal of this research is to develop a
simple, noninvasive, rapid method for
widespread screening of diabetics in
order to identify those who may require
medical attention and/or therapy for
diabetic retinopathy. Investigators:
Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD; and Maria
Carolina Ortube, MD
Resolution of Vitreomacular
Adhesion Associated with
Neovascular Age-Related
Macular Degeneration with
Intravitreal Microplasmin
Faculty members are evaluating the
safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection
of microplasmin on age-related
macular degeneration (AMD) with
focal vitreomacular adhesion (VMA).
Previous research has shown that
intravitreal microplasmin may offer
physicians a safe agent for resolution
of focal VMA in AMD patients
without surgery. Investigators: Steven
D. Schwartz, MD; and Jean-Pierre
Hubschman, MD
Understanding the Genetics of
Inherited Eye Disorders
The Institute is participating in a study
to search for the gene(s) responsible
for inherited disorders that are either
specific to the eye or have eye findings
as part of the medical condition. This
study provides for the clinical characterization
of affected individuals and
at-risk family members, in conjunction
with molecular genetic testing, to identify
the causative genes and mutations.
Investigators: Anthony J. Aldave, MD;
Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD; and Maria
Carolina Ortube, MD
Appendices | Clinical Research Studies 109