RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Personalised Monitoring of Early and Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration With Artificial Intelligence and Identification of Disease Progression

This study aims to discover how early and intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) progresses to advanced AMD, which can cause significant vision loss. Researchers will follow participants for two years, using advanced eye scans and technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor changes in their eyes. The goal is to better understand the disease and identify who is most likely to experience progression, helping doctors track individual risk more effectively. It also hopes to improve how AMD is classified. Participants will not receive any new treatments as part of this study, but their eye health will be closely monitored through regular check-ups and imaging.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Medical University of Vienna

Enrolment target

500

Start

25 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2027

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

What is this study about?

This study is looking into Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, which is an eye condition that can affect your central vision. Specifically, it's focused on understanding how early and intermediate stages of AMD might worsen over time into more advanced forms that can lead to irreversible vision loss.

The main idea behind this research is to use clever computer programs, known as Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with detailed eye scans. By carefully looking at the images and information collected from people with AMD over two years, the researchers hope to identify tiny changes in the eye. These changes could act as early warning signs, helping doctors predict which individuals are at a higher risk of their AMD getting worse. This understanding could make a real difference in how AMD is monitored and potentially treated in the future.

Ultimately, the study wants to improve our ability to tell the difference between different stages of AMD and predict its progression more accurately for each person. This improved knowledge could one day lead to more personalised care, allowing doctors to keep a closer eye on those most at risk and, when treatments become available, offer them at the right time.

Key takeaways

The study investigates how early AMD progresses to advanced stages.
It uses advanced eye scans and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand eye changes.
Participants are followed for two years with check-ups every six months.
No new treatments are given in this study; it's purely for observation and research.
The goal is to predict AMD progression and improve monitoring for individuals.
Your contribution helps scientists better understand and classify AMD for future patients.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you generally need to be between 55 and 99 years old. You must have been diagnosed with early or intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in at least one eye. This means your eye doctor would have seen certain signs, like small deposits called drusen, or changes in the pigment at the back of your eye.

However, there are several reasons why you might not be able to join. For instance, if you've had recent eye surgery, certain eye injections, or have other serious eye conditions like uncontrolled glaucoma or advanced cataracts. If you're taking medications known to harm the retina, or if your AMD is already in an active, advanced stage, you wouldn't be eligible.

The research team will carry out a thorough check of your eyes to make sure that taking part in the study is safe and that your condition fits what they need for the research. They'll also make sure your vision isn't too blurry from other causes that might interfere with the eye scans.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 55 and 99 years old?
Have you been diagnosed with early or intermediate AMD in at least one eye?
Have you *not* had eye surgery in the last 3 months?
Are you *not* currently receiving eye injections (anti-VEGF treatment)?
Do you *not* have other serious uncontrolled eye conditions like glaucoma or advanced cataracts?
Are you *not* taking medications known to harm the retina (e.g., hydroxychloroquine or tamoxifen)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be followed for two years. During this time, you'll have regular check-ups every six months. These visits will involve several routine eye examinations, including various types of eye scans such as pictures of the back of your eye and 3D images that show different layers of your retina. They'll also ask about your medical history and how you’re seeing, possibly using a questionnaire about your vision.

It's important to understand that no new treatments or medications will be given to you as part of this study, as there isn't a widely approved treatment for early or intermediate AMD in Europe yet. If a treatment does become available and approved during the study, you might be able to receive it, but this would be outside of the study’s specific procedures and based on what’s standard care in the UK.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefits of taking part include contributing to a better understanding of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which could help future patients. Your eyes will also be regularly monitored by experts, which might give you peace of mind. As no new treatments are given, the risks associated with treatment-related side effects are not applicable. Any risks would be minimal, mainly related to the minor discomfort of eye examinations, such as bright lights during scans or dilating eye drops which can temporarily blur your vision. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (7)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Medical University of Vienna
Verified postcode
Vienna, Austria· Not yet recruiting
CHU Dijon
Verified postcode
Dijon, France· Recruiting
University Medical Center Ljubljana
Verified postcode
Ljubljana, Slovenia· Recruiting
Fundacio de Recerca Clinic Barcelona-Institut D Investigacions Biomed
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain· Recruiting
Vista Klinik Binningen
Verified postcode
Binningen, Switzerland· Recruiting
University of Zürich
Verified postcode
Zurich, Switzerland· Recruiting
Queen's Unviversity Belfast
Verified postcode
Belfast, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

AMD is a common eye condition that affects the macula, the part of your eye responsible for sharp, central vision. It can make everyday tasks like reading or recognising faces difficult.

Will I receive treatment in this study?

No, this study is observational, meaning you won't receive any new treatments as part of the study itself. It's about monitoring your eyes to understand the condition better.

How often will I need to visit the clinic?

You will need to visit the clinic for check-ups every six months over a period of two years.

What kind of eye tests will I have?

You'll have several routine eye examinations, including different types of advanced eye scans that take detailed pictures of the back of your eye.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you are completely free to leave the study at any point, and this will not affect your standard medical care.

How to find out more

Gregor Reiter, Priv.-Doz. Ing. DDr., BA MSc

gregor.reiter@meduniwien.ac.at +43 1 40400-73419 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.