Birdshot Chorioretinopathy : Prospective Follow-up and Immunogenetic Studies(CO-BIRD)
France600 participantsStarted 2004-11-02
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is twofold:
1. To analyze the clinical features of a cohort of patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR), an inflammatory bilateral ocular disease, affecting the choroid and the retina.
Various imaging techniques will be used to assess the effect of the disease on the retina and the choroid.
A standardized assessment of the visual function will be performed with visual acuity, visual field and color vision testing. The quality of life of the patients will be evaluated with the VFQ-25 questionnaire.
These analyses will help delineating different forms of the disease among its heterogeneous presentations.
2. To identify predisposing factors for the disease. The condition is unique from the immunogenetic standpoint by its association with the HLA-A29 allele, which is the strongest link between an HLA class I antigen and a disease. To date, however, the mechanisms leading to birdshot chorioretinopathy remain unknown. GWAS (Genome Wide association Study) based on DNA of the cohort patients will be performed with the aim to identify other susceptibility genes associated with BCR.
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
. Bilateral disease
. Presence of at least three peripapillary "birdshot lesions" inferior or nasal to the optic disk in one eye
. Low-grade anterior segment intraocular inflammation (defined as ≤ 1+cells in the anterior chamber)
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
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
2
Visual field testing
Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
3
Color vision
Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
4
National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire
Timeframe: Through study completion, an average of 1 year