Identification and Measurement of Antioxidants and Cytokines in the Anterior Chamber of Various Ocular Disorders

Overview

This study offers evaluation and treatment for patients with corneal or retinal diseases, such as corneal opacities or diabetic retinopathy. The protocol is not designed to test new treatments; rather, patients will receive current standard of care treatments. The purpose of the study is twofold: 1) to allow ophthalmologist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) to increase their knowledge of altered microenvironment in the corneal or retinal disorders and identify new pathways of possible research in this area; and 2) to establish a list of patients who may be qualified for new research as they are recruited. (Participants in this protocol will not be required to join a new study; the decision is dependent on the patients themselves.) Participants will be followed at least 3 months. Follow-up visits are scheduled according to the standard of care for the individual patient's ocular problems. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure will be checked at each visit, and some of the screening tests described above may be repeated to follow the progress of disease and evaluate the response to treatment.

The primary purpose of the protocol is to accumulate a cohort of patients with corneal or retinal diseases for possible participation in new CGMH clinical trials and epidemiological protocols. Also, by providing long-term follow-up and treatment for a variety of corneal or retinal disorders, the relevant specialists and basic scientists at CGMH will be better able to identify research hypotheses about these diseases in addition to maintaining their clinical skills. The availability of cohorts of patients with a spectrum of corneal or retinal disorders will be valuable for the training of fellows in external eye or intraocular diseases, an important mission of the CGMH. The ability to provide long-term follow-up and care will also facilitate referral efforts for new CGMH protocols. The corneal or retinal specialists at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital will be free to choose those ocular disorders that interest them. However, the total number of patients that can be enrolled in the protocol will be restricted. This protocol is not designed to test any new treatments. Any evaluations or treatment under this protocol will be based on the current standard of care for each corneal or retinal diseases. Participants in this patient evaluation and treatment protocol will be evaluated for potential eligibility in any new CGMH clinical trials or epidemiologic protocols as they are developed. If eligible, patients may be asked to participate in the new protocol. However, they will not be required to enter any protocol and their decision to participate will be entirely voluntary. No more than 200 patients will be accepted in this "Evaluation and Treatment Protocol."