To Study the Effectiveness and Safety of Niacin and a Topical Steroid Eye Drop to Treat Retinal Vein Occlusions

December 18, 2018 updated by: Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Niacin (as a Vasodilator), and a Topical Steroid (for Macular Edema), Non-Ischemic CRVO,HRVO,BRVO

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

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

Enrollment (Actual)

63

Phase

  • Phase 2
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • Palo Alto, California, United States, 94301
        • Palo Alto Medical Foundation Department of Ophthalmology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients must be able to understand the study procedures, agree to participate, and give written consent.
  • Patient must have central retinal vein occlusion, hemi-retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion.
  • Patients must be able to follow the study medication regimen.
  • Patients must agree to return for the once monthly eye exams.
  • Patients must agree to have liver function tests performed on a regular basis.
  • Patients must agree to have regular appointments with their Internist on an established basis.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with active Gout, or high levels of Uric
  • Patients may not be pregnant or lactating.
  • The Principal Investigator reserves the right to exclude any patient who he feels will not make a good candidate.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Prospective active treatment
Niacin 500mg TID PO for treatment of retinal vein occlusions.
Drug: Nicotinic acid
topical eye drops
Other Names:
  • Niacin
Drug: Prednisolone acetate
topical eye drops

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
Time Frame: one year
improvement with combination of niacin and topical prednisolone acetate
one year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
A Decrease in the Thickness of the Retina
Time Frame: one year
data not available
one year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Michael Gaynon, MD, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

October 1, 2006

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 1, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

October 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 25, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 25, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

June 27, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 21, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 18, 2018

Last Verified

December 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 06-21

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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