Therapy of Age-related Macular Degeneration (MET)

Therapy of Age-related Macular Degeneration Through Training With the Medical Eye Trainer

People with the disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are treated with the Medical Eye Trainer (MET) system to improve their vision. The training is carried out over 2 months.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Detailed Description

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a widespread eye disease worldwide. According to the Gutenberg Health Study, about 7000000 people in Germany suffer from it. The numbers for Austria are to be assumed with 700000 due to the smaller population. There are two different forms of AMD, the wet form with 15% and the dry form with 85%. Both types have a high risk of rapid development of significant visual impairment. For the dry form of the disease there are currently only a few therapeutic options. The main one is the nutritional supplement therapy. This treatment can only reduce the progression of deterioration in 10% of affected individuals, but there is a significant side effect profile. Thus, the question arose for completely different treatment approaches. For this reason, the Medical Eye Trainer (MET) was developed. This is a training device which can easily be used in self application. The purpose of this new therapy is not to try to cure AMD. Instead, the eye and brain are trained to better cope with the disease. In a first study on 17 eyes, 11 cases even showed an improvement of the visual performance, the remaining 6 cases showed a stable situation. In no case did a deterioration occur. Thus, for the first time, it was possible not only to slow down this disease, but even to achieve an improvement. In a second study with a planned number of 150 persons, this positive effect will be further investigated. A calculation with G*Power, based on the results of the first study, results in an optimal number of 150 examinations.

The participants will be examined in the hospital Ried im Innkreis and treated by MET. No additional measures are required for the study besides the usual eye examinations in AMD.

The study is open to individuals with dry AMD, regardless of age. Exclusion criteria are wet AMD, epilepsy and double vision. Other eye diseases are not a problem.

The diagnosis is additionally confirmed by an examination of the ocular fundus with an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). As an essential factor of the severity of the disease, the visual performance for distance (5-6m) and for near (40cm) is determined.

Participants need a mobile electronic device with the operating system Apple IOS® or Android®. The MET training system in the form of software will be provided for the duration of the study. The therapy is performed daily by the patient him/herself and lasts 90 seconds per eye. A success control is planned after two months. The above mentioned examinations will be repeated.

The MET has a CE-approval in the sense of MPG class 1. This study will be performed according to the Helsinki criteria.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 150

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Upperaustria
    • Ried Im Innkreis, Upperaustria, Austria, A - 4910
      • Recruiting
      • BHS Ried
      • Contact: Robert Hörantner, MD; Phone Number: 00437752602; Email: robert.hoerantner@bhs.at
      • Contact: Lucie Junger, MD; Phone Number: 00437752603; Email: lucie.junger@bhs.at

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

All persons with dry AMD who have no risk of reacting to the intense visual stimulus with a seizure. Existing double images are intensified by the increased visual acuity. All other affected persons can participate in the training.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age-related macular degeneration

Exclusion Criteria:

• Epilepsy
• Double vision

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in visual acuity	2 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Robert Hörantner

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 28, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 31, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): April 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 8, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): February 3, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 18, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 16, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: AMD; Age-related macular degeneration; Medical Eye Trainer
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Eye Diseases; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Diseases; Macular Degeneration
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1241/2021

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: Based on the European Data Protection Regulation, no data transfer is allowed.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No