Cataract Surgery to Obtain Human Lens Material for the Study of Nuclear Cataracts (NCT00001613) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Cataract Surgery to Obtain Human Lens Material for the Study of Nuclear Cataracts
United States96 participantsStarted 1997-05
Plain-language summary
Cataract, in which the lens of the eye is opacified, is the major cause of blindness. This study will examine protein material of the lens called crystallins to try to determine what causes nuclear cataracts, a type of cataract that forms in the central lens nucleus.
Men and women age 45 years or older with a cataract may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened to determine what type of cataract they have and will undergo a complete eye examination, including a vision test, eye pressure test, and examination of the lens and retina.
Patients selected for study will have a complete physical and eye examination, including photography of various parts of the eye, and ultrasound measurements of the eye. They will then have cataract surgery, either with or without intraocular lens implantation, and will have follow-up examinations 1 week, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery.
Tissue from the lenses removed during surgery will be given to NEI scientists for research on the causes of age-related nuclear cataracts.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Patients with cataracts will be screened in order to determine eligibility.
Patients 45 years and older of either sex with clinically significant cataract will be admitted to this study.
Patients requiring cataract surgery should have either age related nuclear cataracts or cortical and/or posterior subcapsular cataract without nuclear cataract (controls).
Age related nuclear cataract is defined using LOCS II Clinical Classification as having Nuclear color of 0-2, Nuclear Opalescence of 2-5, Cortical Opacity 0-1, and PSC 0-1.
In addition, for controls, patients of either sex with clinically significant cortical or posterior subcapsular cataracts but having no nuclear cataract will also be recruited. These will have a LOCS grade of Nuclear Color 0-2, Nuclear Opalescence 0-1, Cortical 1-5, PSC 1.4.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.