Natural History, Pathogenesis, and Outcome of Ocular Disorders

🩺 Protocol Summary

Background: The National Eye Institute (NEI) wants to evaluate and provide standard treatment to people with eye diseases. Objective: To examine and treat people with eye diseases and learn more about eye diseases and how they are inherited. Eligibility: People with eye diseases who can give consent or have a guardian who can consent for them. Asymptomatic first-degree relatives willing to provide a blood sample may also be enrolled for the purpose of genetic testing. Design: Participants will be screened with an eye exam. Participants will have 1-12 visits per year depending on their eye disease for up to 5 years. Visits last about 4 hours and could include: Medical and family history Physical exam Eye exam and photography. Oculography: They put on contact lenses or goggles. They watch spots on a computer screen for 20-30 minutes. Electrooculography: Small metal disks are placed on the skin next to both eyes. They look left and right in the dark and light for about 30 minutes. Electroretinography: They sit in the dark with their eyes patched. A small metal disk is taped to the forehead. After 30 minutes, the patches are removed and contact lenses put in. They watch flashing lights. Fluorescein angiography: A needle guides a thin plastic tube into an arm vein. A dye is injected through the tube and travels up the blood vessels in the eyes. Pictures are taken of the eyes. Immunosuppressive treatment Eye cell sample: Samples are obtained from swabbing, pressing paper on, or taking a small biopsy sample from the surface of the eye. Blood tests Skin, tear, urine, saliva, stool, or hair sample Exam under anesthesia for some children At each visit participants could get medications, eye drops, eye injections, laser treatments, or surgery.

Primary Research Facility: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (Bethesda, Maryland)

Review these 3 basic logistical and protocol criteria extracted from the public NIH record. (This is a preliminary logistical checklist, not an official clinical eligibility determination).

Diagnosed with, undergoing evaluation for, or seeking treatment related to Eye Disease?

🔍 Study Population / Focus Area (Source: Protocol Primary Condition)

Aged between 1 Month and 100 Years?

🔍 Protocol Specified Age Range: 1 Month to 100 Years

Able to attend required clinic visits at National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (Bethesda, Maryland)?

🔍 Logistical Requirement: Site at National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

📍 Primary Site Map

Site: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland

💰 Clinical Trial Costs & Insurance Coverage

Coverage for clinical trial participation varies depending on your health insurance policy, state legislation, and whether specific procedures are investigational research or routine medical care. Under federal law (Affordable Care Act § 2709), health insurers generally cannot drop coverage or refuse to pay for routine patient care costs incurred in approved clinical trials.

💡 Always ask the study coordinator for the trial's official Informed Consent Form, which outlines all sponsor-funded research items versus procedures billed to your insurance.