RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Dresden Glaucoma and Treatment Study (DGTS)

This study, called the Dresden Glaucoma and Treatment Study (DGTS), is designed to check the quality of care and treatment provided to patients with glaucoma at a university eye hospital. Glaucoma is an eye condition that can damage your eyesight. Researchers are collecting existing information from the medical records of patients who have different types of glaucoma or are at risk of developing it. They look at things like age, what medicines people are on, and results from various eye tests. All patient information is made anonymous, meaning personal details are removed, to protect privacy. By carefully looking at this data, the study aims to understand what treatments and follow-up plans are most effective. This helps doctors learn how to give the best possible care to all glaucoma patients in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Technische Universität Dresden

Enrolment target

10,000

Start

01 Jan 2006

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2030

Glaucoma Glaucoma, Open-Angle Glaucoma, Angle-Closure Glaucoma, Low Tension

What is this study about?

The Dresden Glaucoma and Treatment Study, or DGTS, is a project carefully looking at how people with glaucoma are cared for and treated at a special eye hospital in Germany. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain. This damage can affect your vision, often without you noticing in the early stages. This study includes different types of glaucoma, such as open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, and even people who might be at risk or have low-tension glaucoma.

The main goal of this study is to take a close look at the quality of care provided. Researchers collect information that's already in patient records, like how old people are, if others in their family have glaucoma, and what medicines they're currently taking. They also look at the results from many different eye tests that patients have during their regular check-ups. These tests measure things like eye pressure, the structure of the nerve at the back of the eye, and your field of vision.

All the patient information is made completely anonymous, which means that all names and personal details are removed. This ensures everyone's privacy is protected. By studying this information over time, doctors hope to understand what follow-up plans and treatments work best for different people. This helps them improve the care they offer, so that eventually, all patients with glaucoma can receive the most effective and high-quality treatment possible. It's about learning from current care to make future care even better.

Key takeaways

This study uses existing medical records to improve glaucoma care.
Your personal information will be made completely anonymous.
You won't have any extra appointments or medical procedures.
The study helps doctors learn what works best for glaucoma patients.
It aims to improve the quality of care for all patients with glaucoma.
Participation involves no direct risks to you.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to both men and women of all ages. To be part of this study, you must either have a clear diagnosis of glaucoma, have high pressure in your eye (called ocular hypertension), or be considered at risk of developing glaucoma.

However, there are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. If you are under 18 years old, you won't be able to take part. Also, if you have certain problems with the clear front part of your eye, called the cornea, you would not be able to be included in this study.

Since this study uses information from existing patient records, you wouldn't need to do anything extra if you're already a patient at the university hospital's glaucoma service and meet these criteria.

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 a patient at the Dresden University Hospital's glaucoma service?
Have you been told you have glaucoma, high eye pressure, or are at risk?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you not have any major problems with the clear front part of your eye (cornea)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are already a patient at the university hospital's glaucoma clinic and meet the study's requirements, your information from your regular medical appointments will be included in this study. You will not need to do anything extra. This means there are no additional visits, assessments, or medications. Your existing medical records, including information from your eye exams and treatments, will be used. Every piece of personal information identifying you is removed to keep your data private. This is an ongoing study, so data is collected over time from many patients' regular check-ups.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct risks to you from taking part in this study, as it only involves looking at existing, anonymised medical records. You won't have any extra appointments, tests, or treatments. The main benefit is that your anonymised health information will help doctors understand glaucoma better and improve care for other patients in the future. You always have the right to ask for your data not to be included at any time, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University Eye Hospital, Medical Faculty, Technical University Dresden
Verified postcode
Dresden, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage your optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to protect your sight.

Will I have to do anything differently if I'm in this study?

No, you won't. This study uses information that's already in your medical records from your regular check-ups. You won't have any extra appointments or tests.

How is my privacy protected?

All your personal details, like your name, are removed from your medical information. This is called anonymisation, and it ensures your privacy is fully protected.

Who is running this study?

This study is called the Dresden Glaucoma and Treatment Study (DGTS) and is being carried out by a university eye hospital team in Dresden, Germany.

What is the main goal of this study?

The study aims to understand how well people with glaucoma are being cared for and treated, using existing patient information, to help improve future care for everyone with glaucoma.

How to find out more

Karin R Pillunat, MD

karin.pillunat@uniklinikum-dresden.de +49 351 458 3274 Official trial record

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