CompletedNot Applicable

Family Studies of Eye Traits

United States7,370 participantsStarted 2002-12-04

Plain-language summary

This study will examine blood specimens from patients with various eye disorders who previously participated in the Beaver Dam Eye Study to try to identify genes responsible for these disorders. The Beaver Dam study was designed to determine the incidence and causes of age-related eye conditions, including cataract (changes in the lens of the eye that can impair vision); retinopathy (diseases of the retina - the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye); age-related maculopathy (degeneration or atrophy of the macula - the center part of the retina responsible for fine vision); and impaired vision. Findings from this study and others have shown that age-related eye disorders often run in families, indicating a genetic component in their development. All participants in the Beaver Dam study who had family members in the study may be included in the current NHGRI study. The Beaver Dam study included residents of the township of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, who were between 45 and 84 years of age at enrollment. Participants had thorough eye examinations and blood samples drawn at baseline and 5 and 10 years after the baseline evaluation. Fifteen-year follow-ups will start in 2003. This study will analyze data and blood samples previously collected from Beaver Dam study participants to identify genes related to numerous age-related visual traits. No new participants will be recruited.

Who can participate

Age range

45 Years

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: All individuals aged 45-84 years of age living in the township of Beaver Dam Wisconsin were invited to participate. In the Framingham, cohort study, inclusion criteria were that the participants were residents of Framingham, MA or offspring of the original enrolless into the FHS. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: None other than not meeting the Inclusion Criteria. In the Framingham Eye Study, enrollees from the FHS who were deceased at the time of the FES exams (1970's) would not be able to enroll.

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.

What they're measuring

Refractive error

Timeframe: At study enrollment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00342342

SponsorNational Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2020-04-17

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