The purpose of this study is to determine whether Niacin, a B vitamin, may act as a vasodilator to encourage earlier formation of collateral blood vessels that may serve to bypass the obstructed vein in the eye. The topical steroid eye drops are aimed at reducing swelling in the retina, until the collateral vessels have a chance to develop.
The aim of this study is to develop a less risky, yet effective and more sustainable treatment for retinal vein occlusions than the current commonly used approach of repeated intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) injections. The types of retinal vein occlusion that are being studied include central (CRVO), hemi-retinal (HRVO), and branch (BRVO) retinal vein occlusion. Niacin, (Nicotinic Acid, not Nicotinamide)a B-vitamin, has lipid lowering and vasodilating properties. The combination of Niacin and Prednisolone Acetate steroid eye drops as a non-invasive treatment approach was developed by the Principal Investigator. The Niacin dilates the retinal vessels, hopefully encouraging earlier collateral vessel formation aimed at bypassing the venous obstruction, thus restoring venous outflow. The Prednisolone Acetate steroid eye drops are aimed at reducing vascular leakage and therefore the macular edema in the eye while the Niacin is taking effect.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
63
topical eye drops
topical eye drops
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Department of Ophthalmology
Palo Alto, California, United States
Number of Participants With An Improvement in Vision, as Measured by an Increase of 15 Letters on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (EDTRS) Vision Chart.
improvement with combination of niacin and topical prednisolone acetate
Time frame: one year
A Decrease in the Thickness of the Retina
data not available
Time frame: one year
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