Randomized Controlled Trial of LUtein as a Novel Neuroprotective Adjunctive Therapy to Improve Visual Outcome of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (LUNAR Study)
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Retinal detachment is a major cause of blindness, particularly among contemporary Asian populations due to the high prevalence of myopia. Without timely treatment, retinal detachment invariably results in blindness. As the only effective treatment is surgery, much effort has been invested to enhancing surgical outcome of retinal detachment repair. Advances in new instrumentations, viewing systems and refined surgical techniques have all contributed to improved rate of retinal re-attachment (anatomical outcome). Nevertheless, successful re-attachment of the retina after surgery does not always restore vision (visual outcome), especially when retinal detachment involves the macula ("macula-off" retinal detachment). The reason for poor visual outcome is believed to be due to apoptosis of photoreceptors, which may occur early and rapidly after the onset of retinal detachment. Neuroprotection has therefore been considered a valid strategy to improve visual outcome of retinal detachment surgery. Lutein is a promising potent neuroprotective agent for the retina, and has been shown in preliminary clinical and laboratory studies that it could salvage photorecepters in retinal detachment. We hypothesize that oral intake of lutein soon after onset of retinal detachment could prevent photoreceptor neurons from dying and thus limit the loss of vision. To test such hypothesis, we propose to conduct a double-masked, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of lutein as an adjuvant therapy to improve visual outcome for surgical repair of primary rhematogenous retinal detachment involving the macula in Asian Singaporeans. The potential clinical and scientific significance of this trial is clear. It may provide first evidence that pharmacological neuroprotection can be used as an effective therapeutic modality in the clinical management of retinal detachment, and result in a paradigm shift in clinical practice, ultimately leading to better visual outcome and quality of life for patients undertaking surgical repair of retinal detachment.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Detailed Description
Retinal detachment is a major cause of blindness, particularly among contemporary Asian populations due to the high prevalence of myopia. Without timely treatment, retinal detachment invariably results in blindness. As the only effective treatment is surgery, much effort has been invested to enhancing surgical outcome of retinal detachment repair. Advances in new instrumentations, viewing systems and refined surgical techniques have all contributed to improved rate of retinal re-attachment (anatomical outcome). Nevertheless, successful re-attachment of the retina after surgery does not always restore vision (visual outcome), especially when retinal detachment involves the macula ("macula-off" retinal detachment). The reason for poor visual outcome is believed to be due to apoptosis of photoreceptors, which may occur early and rapidly after the onset of retinal detachment. Neuroprotection has therefore been considered a valid strategy to improve visual outcome of retinal detachment surgery. Lutein is a promising potent neuroprotective agent for the retina, and has been shown in preliminary clinical and laboratory studies that it could salvage photorecepters in retinal detachment. We hypothesize that oral intake of lutein soon after onset of retinal detachment could prevent photoreceptor neurons from dying and thus limit the loss of vision. To test such hypothesis, we propose to conduct a double-masked, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of lutein as an adjuvant therapy to improve visual outcome for surgical repair of primary rhematogenous retinal detachment involving the macula in Asian Singaporeans. The potential clinical and scientific significance of this trial is clear. It may provide first evidence that pharmacological neuroprotection can be used as an effective therapeutic modality in the clinical management of retinal detachment, and result in a paradigm shift in clinical practice, ultimately leading to better visual outcome and quality of life for patients undertaking surgical repair of retinal detachment.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Placebo Comparator: Control Patients taking inactive placebo tablets |
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Inactive placebo tablet
|
| Experimental: Lutein Patients taking lutein supplement |
Dietary Supplement: Lutein
Lutein is a common oral supplement that may have neuroprotective effect on the human retina
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Visual acuity [6 month]
Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 6-month follow-up visit
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Visual acuity [12 month]
Changes in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to 12-month follow-up visit
- Retinal anatomical changes [6 and 12 month]
Recovery of ultrastructural retinal cell layer disruptions on optical coherence tomography scans (e.g., disappearance of outer retinal disruptions at 6 and 12 month visits)
- Visual function [6 and 12 month]
Changes in visual function as measured using Pelli-Robson Contrast Sensitivity and microperimetry testing for macular function
- Quality of life measures [6 and 12 months]
Changes in "Impact of Vision Impairment Profile" based on vision impairment validated questionnaires (Lamoureux EL, Pallant JF, Pesudovs K, Rees G, Hassell JB, Keeffe JE. The impact of vision impairment questionnaire: an assessment of its domain structure using confirmatory factor analysis and rasch analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(3):1001-1006.)
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Primary macula-off RRD (i.e. one that has not previously been treated with surgery)
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Able and willing to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
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Known pre-existing macular other ocular diseases (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, myopic maculopathy, diabetic macular edema, corneal diseases)
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Trauma-related RRD
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Recurrent RRD
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Macula-on RRD
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History of amblyopia in the affected eye
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Known allergy to or current use of lutein supplements
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children (age <21 years), prisoners, cognitively impaired persons
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Singapore National Eye Centre
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- R1148/50/2014