A new eye camera may spot stressed cells before vision loss begins
NCT ID NCT06381596
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a special camera called the OcuMet Beacon can detect stressed cells in the retina of people with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration. Researchers want to see if the patterns of stress match areas of damage seen on standard eye scans. If so, this imaging approach might one day help catch the disease earlier, before symptoms or vision loss occur.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If patterns of stressed cells correlate with disease areas, this imaging method could help identify early signs of macular degeneration before symptoms appear.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage observational study with only 32 participants. The findings may not apply to all patients, and the technique is not yet proven to predict disease progression.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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32 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Finished
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May 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 50 years or older and may be either male or female of any race * Established diagnosis of GA due to AMD * GA characteristics: GA area of between 1.25 mm² and 23 mm², with seventy percent of eyes having GA area ranging from 2.5 mm2 to 17.5 mm2. GA may be unifocal or multifocal. GA may be subfoveal or extrafoveal, with twenty-five percent of eyes having subfoveal GA. The presence of concurrent peripapillary atrophy will not exclude subjects from participation * Willing to participate as evidenced by signing the written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to tolerate ophthalmic imaging * Presence of neovascular AMD on OCT as confirmed by an ophthalmologist * Presence of significant media opacity preventing adequate retinal imaging * Presence of concurrent retinal disease which may confound assessment
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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