Clinical faculty
Research Coordinator
- Kathryne McKinney, COMT
mckinney.5@osu.edu
614-293-5287
Now Recruiting!
Glaucoma Division not recruiting at this time.
Current Clinical Trials
DM Grzybowski
(PI), M Lubow, PA Weber. Comparison of novel
antiproliferatives to improve the long term success of glaucoma filtration
surgery, The Columbus Foundation, Ann Ellis Glaucoma Fund, 2006-07.
C Roberts (PI). A
study of micropulsed and low fluence diode laser-tissue interaction with
cultured human trabecular meshwork cell monolayers, Iridex, 2005-07.
C Roberts (PI).
Measurement and evaluation of the elastic and viscous properties of the cornea
in glaucoma, Columbus Foundation, 2006-07.
PA Weber (PI), ND
Baker, F Kapetansky, RJ Derick. Ocular hypertension treatment study (OHTS) Phase II,
National Eye Institute (NEI), 1994-2008.
Completed Clinical Trials
- Ocular Hypertensive Treatment Study (OHTS) Phase I - The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS), sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, is taking place at U.S. medical centers nationwide. Some people are at increased risk for glaucoma. These include individuals who have diabetes or high blood pressure, who are near-sighted or African American, and those with a family history of glaucoma. Over 1600 patients with increased eye pressure were enrolled in the study between February 1994 and October 1996. Participants in the OHTS were randomized to either observation or a stepped medical regimen and followed for a minimum of five years. Medical treatment consists of all commercially available antiglaucoma medications. In 2002, the study published results in the Archives of Ophthalmology showing that using eyedrop medicines to lower eye pressure prevents or delays glaucoma in people with ocular hypertension. Now that OHTS has proven that lowering eye pressure is effective in delaying or preventing glaucoma in individuals with ocular hypertension, it is important to determine when treatment should be started. Following the finding in 2002, all OHTS participants were offered eyedrop medications. By treating all participants in both groups with eyedrop medications, we should be able to determine if there is a penalty for waiting to institute treatment.
- Memantine Study - The glaucoma division has just completed its four-year participation in a clinical trial sponsored by Allergan to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of oral Memantine. Memantine is considered in a class of drugs referred to as neuroprotectors. Memantine has been used in Europe for 20 years for central nervous system (CNS)indications including the treatment of dementia syndrome, spastic disorders, and Parkinson’s syndrome. In 2003, the FDA approved the use of Memantine (Namenda®) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Allergan, in its ongoing pursuit of developing drugs for the treatment of eye disease, began researching Memantine for the treatment of glaucoma*. Glaucoma is a disease characterized by damage to the cells around the optic nerve that will result, if left untreated, in eventual blindness. The prevailing theory is that this damage is caused by increased pressure (IOP) inside the eye. However, there is research to suggest that increased IOP is only part of the picture of understanding the cause of glaucoma. Blindness from glaucoma may also result from the build up of a toxin within the eye. A neurotransmitter called glutamate stimulates the nerve cells used during vision. It has been found that too much glutamate in the eye can act as a toxin, actually causing death to the cells surrounding the optic nerve.Memantine has been shown to decrease the excess production of glutamate. It is theorized that Memantine used in the treatment of glaucoma could help prevent the progression of this blinding disease. In 1999, Allergan began recruitment for the Memantine clinical trial, enrolling 1136 patients and involving clinics in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. As of September 2006, all patients concluded their participation in this study. Allergan is beginning the final process of data analysis, expecting results to be published in two years. Hopefully, findings will be favorable and Memantine can be added to the arsenal of medications that fight the progression of glaucoma. *Memantine has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of glaucoma.
Research Papers
- C Roberts, BK Rivera, D Grzybowski, A Mahmoud, and PA Weber. “Effect of low fluence diode laser irradiation on the
hydraulic conductivity of perfused trabecular meshwork endothelial cell
monolayers.,” Curr Eye Res. 2007 Jul;32(7):625-38.
