Measuring the Effects of Rhopressa on Episcleral and Retinal Blood Flow in Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma Suspects

Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT04401982
Collaborator
Aerie Pharmaceuticals (Industry)
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Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Rhopressa effectively lowers intra-ocular pressure by improving conventional outflow and decreasing episcleral venous pressure. While this may result in improved episcleral venous flow, current methods to quantify episcleral blood flow in vivo are rudimentary and unable to accurately and precisely determine flow. Proof that Rhopressa effectively increases episcleral venous flow would differentiate it from other medications. Furthermore, this evidence could galvanize interest in the use of Rhopressa after popular Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedures. In future studies, MIGS procedures could be used to improve the proximal outflow pathway, and Rhopressa to enhance distal outflow.

Specific Aim:

To determine the effect of Rhopressa on episcleral venous outflow and retinal blood flow in a cohort of treatment-naïve ocular hypertensive and glaucoma suspect patients.

Hypothesis:

Rhopressa increases episcleral venous flow and retinal blood flow from baseline at both 1 hour and 1 week after initiation of therapy.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Drug: Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% one drop nightly for 1-2 weeks

Detailed Description

Need/Relevance:

Rhopressa effectively lowers intra-ocular pressure by improving conventional outflow and decreasing episcleral venous pressure. While this may result in improved episcleral venous flow, current methods to quantify episcleral blood flow in vivo are rudimentary and unable to accurately and precisely determine flow. Proof that Rhopressa effectively increases episcleral venous flow would differentiate it from other medications. Furthermore, this evidence could galvanize interest in the use of Rhopressa after popular Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedures. In future studies, MIGS procedures could be used to improve the proximal outflow pathway, and Rhopressa to enhance distal outflow.

Purpose/Aim:

The investigators have developed a technology to accurately and precisely determine episcleral and retinal blood flow in human subjects using ICG labeled erythrocytes via a technique the investigators have coined as Erythrocyte Mediated Angiography (EMA). The investigators propose conducting a pilot study to show the effect of Rhopressa on both improving episcleral blood flow as well as studying its effect on retinal blood flow. With lower intraocular pressure, and correspondingly higher ocular perfusion pressure, Rhopressa may also improve retinal blood flow.

Specific Aim:

To determine the effect of Rhopressa on episcleral venous outflow and retinal blood flow in a cohort of treatment-naïve ocular hypertensive and glaucoma suspect patients.

Hypothesis:

Rhopressa increases episcleral venous flow and retinal blood flow from baseline at both 1 hour and 1 week after initiation of therapy.

To test this hypothesis, the investigators will measure and compare episcleral venous and retinal blood flow at baseline, 1 hour after Rhopressa instillation and 1 week after initiation of Rhopressa.

Study Design

Study Type:
Observational
Actual Enrollment :
10 participants
Observational Model:
Cohort
Time Perspective:
Prospective
Official Title:
Measuring the Effects of Rhopressa on Episcleral and Retinal Blood Flow in Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma Suspects Using Erythrocyte Mediated Angiography In Vivo
Actual Study Start Date :
Mar 15, 2021
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Feb 22, 2022
Actual Study Completion Date :
Feb 22, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Glaucoma Suspect

Individuals with a diagnosis of glaucoma suspect

Drug: Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% one drop nightly for 1-2 weeks
Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% one drop nightly for 1-2 weeks will be administered
Other Names:
  • Rhopressa
  • Outcome Measures

    Primary Outcome Measures

    1. Change in episcleral venous blood flow with Rhopressa [1 year]

      Change in episcleral venous blood flow with Rhopressa as measured using erythrocyte mediated angiography flowmetry.

    2. Change in retinal blood flow in arterioles and venules less than 100 microns with Rhopressa [1 year]

      Change in retinal blood flow in arterioles and venules less than 100 microns with Rhopressa. Retinal blood flow will be measured with erythrocyte mediated angiography flowmetry

    Eligibility Criteria

    Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study:
    18 Years to 88 Years
    Sexes Eligible for Study:
    All
    Inclusion Criteria:
    • Patients at least 18 years of age.

    • Patients must have ocular hypertension or be a glaucoma suspect.

    • Patients must be treatment naïve without alternative study treatments or previous history of using topical IOP lowering agents.

    • Patients must have an IOP of 24-30 mm Hg in the affected eye.

    • Patients must have open angles on gonioscopy.

    • Patients must be willing and able to comply with the protocol including providing informed consent.

    • All patients will have at least one recorded visual field examination within 6 months of enrollment in the study. Visual fields will be assessed using the Hodapp-Andersen-Parish criteria.

    Exclusion Criteria:
    • Prior intraocular surgery other than uncomplicated cataract surgery.

    • Allergy or history of adverse reaction to ICG, shellfish, or Iodine.

    • Significant liver disease or uremia.

    • Secondary glaucoma including exfoliation glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, or history of acute angle closure.

    • Greater than 6 diopters of refractive error.

    • Moderate or severe visual field deficits as per Hodapp-Anderson-Parish criteria.

    • Any condition precluding imaging including reliable visual fields, disc photography, or use of study treatments including media opacity or tilted optic disk.

    • Pregnant or nursing patients.

    Contacts and Locations

    Locations

    Site City State Country Postal Code
    1 University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore Maryland United States 21201
    2 University Physicians Inc. Baltimore Maryland United States 21201
    3 UM Faculty Physicians, Inc. | 5900 Waterloo Crossing Columbia Maryland United States 21045
    4 Maryland Eye Consultants and Surgeons Silver Spring Maryland United States 20902

    Sponsors and Collaborators

    • University of Maryland, Baltimore
    • Aerie Pharmaceuticals

    Investigators

    • Principal Investigator: Osamah Saeedi, MD, University of Maryland, Baltimore

    Study Documents (Full-Text)

    None provided.

    More Information

    Publications

    None provided.
    Responsible Party:
    Osamah Saeedi, Associate Professor; Glaucoma Division Chief; Director of Clinical Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT04401982
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • HP-00086248
    First Posted:
    May 26, 2020
    Last Update Posted:
    Mar 28, 2022
    Last Verified:
    Mar 1, 2022
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
    Yes
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
    No
    Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.:
    Yes
    Additional relevant MeSH terms:

    Study Results

    No Results Posted as of Mar 28, 2022