The Treatment of Uveitic Cystoid Macular Edema With Topical Interferon Gamma
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-06-24
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background:
- Uveitis is a serious inflammatory condition that affects the eye and can cause vision
loss. A common secondary problem associated with uveitis is macular edema (swelling).
The macula is the part of the eye that is important for central vision, and swelling of
the macula can lead to further vision loss. This condition is usually treated by
medicines that target the immune system, but these medicines sometimes do not work or
may cause side effects.
- Interferon gamma-1b (Actimmune(Registered Trademark)) is a bioengineered protein that
can alter the way inflammatory cells work in the immune system. Interferon gamma-1b is
given as an intramuscular injection; however, this study will use the drug as an eye
drop. This study represents the first time that interferon gamma-1b is given as an eye
drop. Researchers hope that interferon gamma-1b will treat macular edema by decreasing
the swelling in the back of the eye.
Objectives:
- To investigate the safety and effectiveness of treating uveitis-associated macular edema
with interferon gamma-1b.
Eligibility:
- Individuals 18 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with macular edema associated
with uveitis (in one or both eyes) for at least 3 months.
Design:
- Participants will have three planned clinic visits during this study over the course of
2 weeks.
- All participants will have a medical history and eye examination.
- When receiving the drops, participants will have optical coherence tomography (a
detailed scan of the retina) 60 minutes and 30 minutes before the drops; upon receiving
the drops; and 30, 60, and 120 minutes after receiving the drops.
- After receiving the drops, participants will have another eye examination, blood drawn
for samples, and further scans.
- Participants will be asked to return to the NIH Clinical Center 1 week after receiving
the drops for an evaluation....