High-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of the Retina and Choroid for Detection on Age Related Macular Degeneration

Sponsor

Weill Medical College of Cornell University (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT00277784

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Location

Duration (Months)

3.6

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The macula is the site of central vision within the retina. The retina is oxygenated by the underlying choroid. These tissues are less than 1 mm thick in total. While optical techniques can reveal much about the structure of the retina, ultrasound allows imaging of the choroid and deeper tissues. This study will investigate use of high frequency (20 MHz) ultrasound for imaging of the retina and choroid in patients with age-related macular degeneration, a prime cause of blindness. The investigation will involve use of novel post-processing methodologies to achieve maximum resolution of the fine tissue structures involved in this disease.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Age Related Macular Degeneration	Procedure: Ultrasound examination

Detailed Description

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition affecting over 40% of individuals 70 years or age or more, causes progressive loss of central vision. Photocoagulation has long been used to slow the progress of AMD, but new vision-preserving methods are currently under investigation. Because destroyed photoreceptors are permanently lost, early management is essential for preservation of vision. The aim of this project will be to study AMD using a suite of new high-resolution ultrasound imaging techniques that have been developed. Specifically, high-resolution ultrasound will be used to generate images of the retina and choroid, including perfusion measurements using slow-flow methods developed by our research group. Ultrasound studies will be performed in conjunction with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging in a series of patients and age-matched control subjects with the aim of determining if choroidal thickness and/or perfusion might be used as an early indicator of AMD and thus aid in patient management.

We will study 20 subjects diagnosed with AMD. We will attempt to have an approximately equal number of subjects with wet and dry forms of AMD. A control group consisting of 20 non-AMD age-matched subjects will also be recruited. Ultrasound scan sequences will consist of B-mode images of the macula and surrounding tissues.

Study Design

Study Type:

Observational

Actual Enrollment :

40 participants

Observational Model:

Case-Only

Time Perspective:

Prospective

Official Title:

High-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of the Retina and Choroid

Study Start Date :

Jul 1, 2005

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Jun 1, 2006

Actual Study Completion Date :

Jun 1, 2006

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
1 Individuals with age related macular degeneration	Procedure: Ultrasound examination one ultrasound examination Other Names: High Frequency Ultrasound

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Individuals with age related macular degeneration

Procedure: Ultrasound examination

one ultrasound examination

Other Names:

High Frequency Ultrasound

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

45 Years to 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

Age related macular degeneration age matched control

Exclusion Criteria:

none

Contacts and Locations

Locations

	Site	City	State	Country	Postal Code
1	Weill Cornell Medical College	New York	New York	United States	10021

Sponsors and Collaborators

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Ronald H Silverman, PhD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Study Chair: D. Jackson Coleman, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College - New York Presbyterian Hospital