Dynamic Light Scattering and Keratoscopy for Corneal Examination

This pilot study will examine the usefulness of a new instrument called the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) device for documenting and monitoring changes in the cornea, the front part of the eye where contact lenses are placed. The DLS device uses a low-intensity laser similar to that used in supermarket checkouts to measure the cloudiness of the cornea. The results of this study may lead to further investigations using DLS to discover the cause of corneal clouding and to develop treatments to prevent it.

Healthy volunteers and patients with corneal clouding or opacification 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this study.

Participants will have a standard eye examination, including a check of visual acuity and eye pressure. The retina will also be examined and photographs of the cornea may be taken. For the DLS test, the subject sits in front of the device and looks at a yellow-green target while the cloudiness of the cornea is measured. Subjects will be tested four times. The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes.

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Key information

Conditions

Corneal Diseases Corneal Opacity Eye Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

Corneal disease and injuries are the leading cause of visits to eye care clinics in the US today. These diseases are also some of the most painful eye disorders. Two important areas for research on the cornea are 1) to explore and understand the molecular basis of corneal transparency and 2) to analyze the molecular nature of corneal inflammation and wound healing. We have developed a new clinical device to understand molecular changes that occur in the lens, called Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) device. Studies have shown its potential in the detection of the earliest changes occurring in the cataract, and have also shown good test retest reproducibility of the system. We now would like to apply this technique to study changes that occur in corneal opacification. In this pilot project, we would like to study the normal cornea in young and older persons (volunteers) as well as cloudy, opaque corneas. This will allow us to determine if useful data can be obtained, and if so, lead to further studies in various corneal disorders caused by trauma, infections, and dystrophies, as well as those caused by systemic or inherited disorders.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Individuals greater than or equal to 18 years of age.

Controls:

Control subjects must have normal, clear corneas as determined by slit lamp biomicroscopy and central corneal thickness less than 0.55 mm centrally.

Patients:

Patients with corneal clouding and opacification.

Exclusion criteria

To be eligible, participants must not satisfy the criterion below:

Individuals who cannot cooperate or keep still for the DLS measurements.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Study Using the Dynamic Light Scattering Device (DLS) Combined With Keratoscopy on the Cornea in Vivo

Important dates

Study start: 2002
Study completion: 2005
First posted: Dec 10, 2002
Registry last updated: Mar 4, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed