Panretinal Photo-stimulation in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
United Kingdom0Started 2012-10
Plain-language summary
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of new cases of blindness in people aged 20 to 65 years worldwide.
Patients with DR may go on to develop a more severe form of the disease called Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), a condition in which abnormal new blood vessels may rupture and bleed inside the eye. When this advanced stage of retinopathy occurs, pan-retinal photocoagulation (laser treatment) is usually recommended.
The purpose of the investigators study is to find if treating patients using a single session of lower intensity laser (Pascal® Pan Retinal Photo-Stimulation, P-RPhS) at an earlier stage in Diabetic Retinopathy (during the severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy stage) when the abnormal new vessels are not developed, will prevent diabetic patients to develop PDR.
Patients included in the study will be randomized in three arms (randomization). In one arm patients will be treated with the normal parameters used in Pascal® laser, the second arm patients will be treated with a lower intensity than normal, using the Endpoint management system (a new software from the Pascal® laser which allow us to decrees the intensity of the burns (invisible burns) showing some landmarks with normal intensity so the area which has been treated can be viewed. And in the third arm the patients will be observed.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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
. Older than 18 years of age
. Male or female patients with diabetes mellitus type I or type 2 who meet the WHO or ADA criteria for diabetes
. Able to give informed consent
. Treatment-naive S-NPDR
. ETDRS visual acuity equivalent to 35 letters or better (Snellen equivalent 6/60 or better)
. Any of the following:
. Mean central retinal thickness of less than or equal to 300 microns as measured by Deep Range Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography (DRI -OCT) scans
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
1
prevention on the developing of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (assessed with slitlamp, color fundus, and fluorangiography)