Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection Under Prostaglandin Analogues

This study aims to understand if a common type of eye drop, called prostaglandin analogues, helps protect your vision in glaucoma more directly than other eye drops. Glaucoma can damage the nerve at the back of your eye, called the retinal ganglion cells, leading to vision loss. Researchers are reviewing the medical records of adult patients who have been treated for glaucoma or high eye pressure. They want to see if those who used prostaglandin eye drops showed better protection for their retinal cells over three years, compared to those who used other types of eye drops. This could help doctors decide the best long-term treatment for glaucoma.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image

Enrolment target

1,500

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Glaucoma

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a common eye condition called glaucoma. Glaucoma can, over time, damage the nerve cells at the back of your eye (called retinal ganglion cells), which are vital for your vision. This damage can lead to permanent vision loss. A key factor in glaucoma is often high pressure inside the eye, and current treatments mainly focus on lowering this pressure.

However, sometimes vision loss continues even when eye pressure is controlled. This suggests that there might be more to treating glaucoma than just lowering pressure. Researchers are particularly interested in a type of eye drop called prostaglandin analogues (like latanoprost, travoprost, or bimatoprost), which are often used to treat glaucoma. While we know these drops effectively lower eye pressure, some early research suggests they might also directly protect the nerve cells at the back of the eye, separate from their pressure-lowering effect.

This study is comparing the long-term outcomes of patients who used prostaglandin eye drops with those who used other types of eye drops for their glaucoma. By looking at existing medical records over three years, doctors hope to find out if prostaglandin eye drops offer this extra protection for your retinal cells. If they do, it could change how doctors think about and choose the best long-term treatment for glaucoma, potentially offering a better way to preserve your precious eyesight.

Key takeaways

Researchers are studying past patient records, not recruiting new patients.
The focus is on whether certain eye drops protect vision directly, beyond lowering eye pressure.
The study compares prostaglandin eye drops with other glaucoma eye drops.
It aims to see if specific drops lead to better protection for nerve cells in the eye.
Findings could help doctors choose the best long-term glaucoma treatments.
There are no direct risks or actions required from individuals whose data is used.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from adult patients aged 18 and over who have already been diagnosed with certain types of glaucoma in at least one eye, such as primary open-angle glaucoma.

To be included, patients must have received treatment with either prostaglandin eye drops *only* or another type of eye drop *only* for at least three years as part of their routine care. They also need to have at least six documented eye appointments during this three-year period, with records of their eye pressure, vision tests, and special eye scans (OCT). The study will not include patients who switched between different types of eye drops, or who started combination eye drop therapy, during the observation period.

Patients would not be included if they had a very short follow-up period (less than 3 years) or too few eye appointments documented. The study also excludes those who had major glaucoma surgeries (other than laser treatment or cataract surgery) during the observation period.

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 an adult (18 years or older)?
Have you been diagnosed with glaucoma in at least one eye?
Have you been consistently using *only* prostaglandin eye drops or *only* another type of eye drops for at least three years for your glaucoma?
Do your medical records show at least six eye appointments over a three-year period, including eye pressure readings, vision tests, and OCT scans?
Have you *not* had any major glaucoma surgeries (other than laser treatment or cataract surgery) during that three-year period?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is an 'observational study', which means you wouldn't directly 'take part' in the way you might imagine for a typical clinical trial. Instead, researchers are looking back at the medical records of thousands of patients who have already received treatment for glaucoma or high eye pressure as part of their routine care. There are no extra visits, assessments, or medications involved for you. Your existing medical information, collected over at least three years during your regular eye appointments (including pressure readings, vision tests, and eye scans), would be analysed to compare different treatment effects.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study is looking at existing patient records, there are no direct physical risks to you from participating, as you wouldn't be undergoing any new treatments or procedures. The main potential benefit is for future patients, as the findings could help doctors make more informed decisions about the best long-term treatments for glaucoma, potentially leading to better vision preservation. You have the right to request that your de-identified medical data not be included in such research if you wish; you should discuss this with your doctor.

Locations (10)

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

Department of Ophthalmology University of Bonn
Verified postcode
Bonn, Germany
University Eye Hospital Leipzig
Verified postcode
Leipzig, Germany
Centre for Clinical Trials at San Paolo Hospital University of Milan
Verified postcode
Milan, Italy
Eye Unit, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità
Verified postcode
Novara, Italy
Centro de Oftalmologia Barraquer
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain
Retina Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Bellvitge University Hospital
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain
University Hospital Basel
Verified postcode
Basel, Switzerland
Clinical Eye Research Centre - St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom
ICORG - Imperial College Ophthalmologic Research Group
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility, Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the nerve connecting your eye to your brain, often due to high pressure inside your eye. This can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.

What are prostaglandin analogue eye drops?

These are a common type of eye drop used to treat glaucoma. Examples include latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost. They work by lowering the pressure inside your eye.

What does 'neuroprotection' mean?

Neuroprotection means protecting the nerve cells from damage. In this study, it means trying to protect the vision-carrying nerve cells in your eye from being harmed by glaucoma.

Will I have to do anything if my records are used?

No, you won't have to do anything. This study simply reviews existing medical records, so there are no new appointments or treatments for you.

How long has this study been looking at records for?

The study is looking at patient records from a period of at least three years for each patient included.

How to find out more

Ana S Silva, PhD

neuropa@aibili.pt +351239480112 Official trial record

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