Age Related Macular Degeneration
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate a new screening procedure for the early detection and monitoring of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in community settings and community hospital settings, to identify associated risk factors, and develop personalized monitoring strategies for at-risk individuals throughout the 5 years follow up period, which will allow us to establish prevalence, natural history of progression of early AMD in the community.
Detailed description
An effective screening programme requires several key components to be successful. First, the natural history of the condition needs to be well understood. Next, a clear threshold for referral must be established and finally, effective intervention must be available to treat the condition in question. In ophthalmology, the most effective screening programme we have is for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Here, the natural history and thresholds are well established, and treatment in the form of pan-retinal photocoagulation is effective in preventing progression to visually threatening DR. While there is consensus regarding features that predispose to late AMD, at an individual level, risk, rate and pattern of progression remain unpredictable therefore there is a need to develop effective AMD screening. This is in contrast to diabetic retinopathy because the natural history is well understood and the risk of vision loss increases sharply in those with referrable DR. In AMD, this threshold is not yet established. As there is currently no standardized screening protocol for early AMD, especially in the community-based setting and community hospital settings, our study aims to understand the natural progression of AMD in the elderly and establish a referrable threshold before visually threatening AMD occurs. This will ultimately inform a comprehensive and standardized community-based screening approach for AMD.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Singapore National Eye Centre
Singapore Health Services
Study design
Observational model
ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 55 years or older * No severe systemic illnesses that prevent study participation * Willing and able to undergo protocol-required procedures for both eyes * Willing and able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Systemic disorders that preclude reliable clinical examination or multimodal imaging * Poor compliance or severe mental illness that hinders participation * Persons who are unable to give informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| To establish the natural history of AMD in Asian elderly and to identify clinical multimodal imaging, genetic, and metabolomic predictors of progression. | 3 years | Progression is defined as the change from early signs of AMD to advanced AMD. |
Countries
Singapore
Contacts
CONTACTGemmy Cheung Professor
Outcome results
None listed