Completed Projects
Recently Completed Projects
Moran Eye Center investigators and patients participated in the following collaborative projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute:
Cornea Donor Study
Principal Investigator
Mark D. Mifflin, MD
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine whether graft-failure rate is equivalent between cornea tissue obtained from donors over 65 years of age and tissue obtained from younger donors. The study also assessed the relationships between graft failure rate and donor/recipient characteristics (such as ABO blood type) and graft endothelial cell density.
Results
Five-year graft survival for cornea transplants at moderate risk for failure is similar using corneas from donors ≥ 66.0 years and donors < 66.0 years. Surgeons and patients now have evidence that corneas comparable in quality to those used in this study from donors through age 75 years are suitable for transplantation.
Reference
Cornea Donor Study Investigator Group1, Gal RL, Dontchev M, Beck RW, Mannis MJ, Holland EJ, Kollman C, Dunn SP, Heck EL, Lass JH, Montoya MM, Schultze RL, Stulting RD, Sugar A, Sugar J, Tennant B, Verdier DD. “The effect of donor age on corneal transplantation outcome: results of the corneal donor study.” Ophthalmology. 2008 April; 115(4): 620-626.e6.
Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial
Principal Investigator
Albert T. Vitale, MD
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to compare standard systemic treatment (oral corticosteroids, possibly combined with immunosuppressive drugs) for severe non-infectious uveitis to a newly FDA-approved ocular drug implant (controlled release fluocinolone implant).
Results
In each treatment group, mean visual acuity improved over 24 months, with neither approach superior to a degree detectable with the study’s power. Therefore, the specific advantages and disadvantages identified should dictate selection between the alternative treatments in consideration of individual patients’ particular circumstances.
Reference
Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial Research Group, Kempen JH, Altaweel MM, Holbrook JT, Jabs DA, Louis TA, Sugar EA, Thorne JE. “Randomized comparison of systemic anti-inflammatory therapy versus fluocinolone acetonide implant for intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis: the multicenter uveitis steroid treatment trial.” Ophthalmology. 2001 Oct;118(10);1916-26.
Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2)
Principal Investigator
Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD
Purpose
The AREDS2 trial was designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation with high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin and/or omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for AMD, cataract, and moderate vision loss. All enrolled participants took study supplements and were followed until the last participant had completed five years of follow up.
Results
Neither omega-3 fatty acids nor lutein/zeaxanthin, when added to the original AREDS formula, had any overall effect on the need for cataract surgery. Adding DHA/EPA or lutein/zeaxanthin to the original AREDS formula (containing beta-carotene) had no overall effect on the risk of advanced AMD. However, trial participants who took AREDS containing lutein/zeaxanthin without beta-carotene had a slight reduction in the risk of advanced AMD, compared to those who took AREDS with beta-carotene. Also, for a subgroup of participants with very low levels of lutein/zeaxanthin in their diet, adding these supplements to the AREDS formula helped lower their risk of advanced AMD.
References
- Age-related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group, Chew EY, Clemons TE, Sangiovanni JP, Danis RP, Ferris FL 3rd, Elman MJ, Antoszyk An, Ruby AJ, Orth D, Bressler SB, Fish GE, Hubbard GB, Klein ML, Chandra SR, Blodi BA, Domalpally A, Friberg T, Wong WT, Rosenfeld PJ, Agron E, Toth CA, Bernstein PS, Sperduto RD. “Secondary analyses of the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on age-related macular degeneration progression: AREDS2 report No.3.” JAMA Ophthalmology. 2014 Feb;132(2):142-9
- Age-related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. “Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-related eye disease study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.” JAMA. 2013 May 15:309(19):2005-15. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.4997
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT)
Principal Investigator
Kathleen B. Digre, MD
Purpose
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), also called “pseudotumor cerebri,” causes visual disturbances due to increased pressure within the fluid-filled spaces inside and around the brain. Approximately 100,000 Americans suffer from IIH symptoms; predominantly overweight women of reproductive age. The trial was conducted to determine if an inexpensive glaucoma drug, acetazolamide, combined with weight loss, would be an effective treatment.
Results
All 161 participants were prescribed a weight-loss plan intended to reduce their daily intake by about 500 to 1,000 calories. About half the participants were randomly assigned to also receive acetazolamide. The visual symptoms of participants on acetazolamide improved about twice as much as those on placebo.
Reference
Effect of Acetazolamide on Visual Function in Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Mild Visual Loss: The Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial. NORDIC Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Study Group Writing Committee, Wall M, McDermott MP, Kieburtz KD, Corbett JJ, Feldon SE, Friedman DI, Katz DM, Keltner JL, Schron EB, Kupersmith MJ. JAMA. 2014. April 23-30:311(16):1641-51. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.3312.