RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Optical Coherence Tomography And NEphropathy: The OCTANE Study

This study, called OCTANE, investigates how high blood pressure and kidney disease affect the tiny blood vessels in the back of your eye. People with these conditions are more likely to have heart problems and strokes. Researchers are using a quick and painless eye scan, similar to what you might have at an optician, to look at these blood vessels. The study aims to see if there are differences in eye blood vessels between people with high blood pressure and kidney disease and healthy individuals. They also want to find out if medical treatments for these conditions can improve the health of these eye blood vessels. This could help us understand more about how these conditions affect your overall health.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

150

Start

16 May 2014

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2028

Health Hypertension Chronic Kidney Disease

What is this study about?

You know how important your eyes are, and this study uses a special eye scan to learn more about how your overall health can affect them. The study is called OCTANE and it's looking at people who have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) and long-term kidney disease. These conditions can sometimes increase your risk of heart problems and strokes, partly because they can affect the small blood vessels all over your body.

Researchers think that treating high blood pressure and kidney disease might help improve the health of these tiny blood vessels. But we don't have a lot of detailed information about this yet. This is where the eye scan comes in! It's called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and it's a bit like a very detailed photograph of the blood vessels at the back of your eye. It's a quick, simple, and safe test – you might have even had one at your optician before.

The main idea behind the OCTANE study is to see if this eye scan can pick up any changes in the eye's blood vessels in people with high blood pressure and kidney disease, when compared to healthy people. They also want to check if these changes get better after people receive treatment for their high blood pressure and kidney disease. The hope is that understanding these changes in the eye might give us clues about what's happening with blood vessels elsewhere in the body and help in managing these conditions better in the future.

Key takeaways

The study investigates eye blood vessels in high blood pressure and kidney disease.
It uses a safe, quick eye scan called OCT.
Aims to see if treatment improves eye vessel health.
Helps understand overall blood vessel health.
Participation involves a single, non-invasive eye scan.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 80 years old, and your Body Mass Index (BMI) should be 35 or less. If you have high blood pressure, it needs to be 140/90 or higher, or you must currently be taking medication for it. If you have chronic kidney disease, your condition needs to meet specific medical guidelines. The study is open to both men and women.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you've recently given blood (within the last 4 weeks), or if you've had issues with drug or alcohol abuse, you won't be eligible. Also, if you're already in another medical study or have a known eye disease, have had eye surgery before, or have very strong glasses prescriptions (more than plus or minus 6), you wouldn't be able to join. Your doctor will also check if you are considered at high risk for certain infections like HIV or hepatitis B.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Do you have high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease?
Have you had recent drug or alcohol abuse issues?
Do you have any existing eye conditions or had eye surgery?
Are you currently in another medical research study?
Do you have a very high glasses prescription (stronger than +/- 6)?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the main thing you would do is have a special eye scan called an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This scan is quick, safe, and doesn't involve any needles or discomfort – it's similar to the eye tests you might have at an optician. The scan only takes a few seconds to complete. You would attend the study centre, which is located at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, close to the outpatient clinics.

The study is primarily about getting these eye images, so there won't be any new medications given as part of this study, nor will there be a requirement for extensive follow-up appointments. The researchers are looking at the health of your eye blood vessels as they are. The total time commitment for individual participants is expected to be quite minimal, mainly involving your attendance for the eye scan.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study offers potential benefits as it helps researchers understand more about high blood pressure and kidney disease, which could lead to better ways to manage these conditions in the future. While there are no direct benefits to your health from participating, the eye scan itself is very safe and non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve any known risks beyond the general discomfort of sitting for an eye exam. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an OCT scan?

It's a quick, safe eye scan that takes detailed pictures of the blood vessels inside your eye, similar to an optician's check-up.

Do I need to change my medication?

No, this study doesn't involve changing your current medications. It's about observing your current health status.

How long will my visit take?

The OCT scan itself only takes a few seconds. The overall visit for the scan should be relatively short.

Will I get my scan results?

The study aims to collect information for research; individual results may not be provided directly. You should discuss this with the study team.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without needing to give a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Neeraj Dhaun, MD PhD

bean.dhaun@ed.ac.uk 01312429215 Official trial record

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