Clinical Trial: Cause of Pigment Dispersion Syndrome

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Etiology of Pigment Dispersion Syndrome (PDS)

Brief Summary:

The purpose of this study is to learn how pigment is released from the iris (the colored part of the eye) in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome. It will do this by examining the response of the pupil (the central opening of the iris) to a flash of light to determine what is happening in the iris to cause release of the pigment.

In pigment dispersion syndrome, pigment released from the iris is deposited in other parts of the eye, including the trabecular meshwork-a filter-like tissue in the front of the eye. Aqueous fluid (fluid continuously produced by the eye) normally flows out of the eye through the trabecular meshwork. In some patients, the pigment deposits may block tiny holes in the meshwork, preventing the fluid from flowing out. This can cause an increase in eye pressure that may lead to glaucoma and some loss of vision. Understanding how pigment is released from the iris may help predict the course of pigment dispersion syndrome and identify which patients will likely develop increased eye pressure.

Patients with pigment dispersion syndrome and normal volunteers may be eligible for this study. All participants will have the following procedures, which will be completed in two clinic visits:

First visit

  1. Examination of the front of the eyes, including the cornea, iris and lens.
  2. Vision testing and measurements of visual field and eye pressure.
  3. Examination of the trabecular meshwork. For this test, a contact lens is placed on the eye after the eye has been numbed with anesthetic drops.

Second visit

  1. Detailed Summary: The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation and comparison of two types of patients and to compare them to normal controls. The two types of patients are those with pigment dispersion (PDS) with normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and those with PDS and elevated IOP. The hypothesis to be tested is that a developmental abnormality of the iris pigment epithelium (IPE) and the dilator muscle is the fundamental defect responsible for the pigment dispersion. This defect may involve other structures of the eye such as the ciliary and retinal pigment epithelium. The results of pupillography in PDS with or without elevated IOP and asymmetric PDS (one eye versus fellow eye) will be the outcome parameters.
    Sponsor: National Eye Institute (NEI)

    Current Primary Outcome:

    Original Primary Outcome:

    Current Secondary Outcome:

    Original Secondary Outcome:

    Information By: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

    Dates:
    Date Received: June 17, 2000
    Date Started: June 2000
    Date Completion: August 2003
    Last Updated: March 3, 2008
    Last Verified: August 2003