Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness and Safety of Niacin and Steroid Eye Drops for Retinal Vein Occlusions

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Clinical Trial

Official title:

"Retrospective Study of Niacin (as a Vasodilator), Combined With a Topical Steroid (for Macular Edema), For CRVO, HRVO, BRVO."

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00500045
• Other study ID #: PAMF 08-51
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Start date: February 2007
• Est. completion date: October 2016

Study information

• Verified date: October 2019
• Source: Palo Alto Medical Foundation
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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 vien occlusion that are being studied include central (CVRO), 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.

Description:

A spontaneous improvement was noted in some patients who were experiencing deteriorating retinal vein occlusions. A chart review and questioning of the patients revealed that the addition of Niacin by the Internist seemed to be the factor that was bringing about the vision improvement.

The Niacin has vasodilating properties, and it is postulated that as the Niacin dilates the retinal vessels, it will encourage earlier collateral vessel formation that will bypass the venous obstruction, and restore venous outflow. The prednisolone steroid eye drops will hopefully reduce the macular edema in the eye.

This is a retrospective study conducted by chart review of up to 45 patients who have undergone treatment with 1500 mg per day of oral Niacin (Nicotinic acid) with or without topical steroid eye drops, Prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte) for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion central (CRVO), hemi-retinal (HRVO), branch (BRVO). The retrospective chart review of patients seen by Dr. Michael Gaynon will go back to 1998 and will continue through the present time. All patients with vision impairment caused by deteriorating retinal vein occlusion, and who were or will be prescribed the Niacin with or without Pred Forte treatment will be included.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 36
• Est. completion date: October 2016
• Est. primary completion date: October 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must have central retinal vein occlusion, hemi-retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with active gout or high levels of uric acid.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
• Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
• Retinal Vein Occlusion

Intervention

Drug:
• nicotinic acid
niacin 1500 mg po qd

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Palo Alto Medical Foundation Department of Ophthalmology	Palo Alto	California

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	An Improvement in Vision in the the Treatment Patients, as Measured by an Increase of 15 Letters on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (EDTRS) Vision Chart.	0 participants analyzed for the overall number of participants analyzed. The PI has retired and left the institution. Efforts were made to contact the PI but were unsuccessful. No study data are available for any results modules.	one year
Secondary	A Decrease in the Thickness of the Retina	0 participants analyzed for the overall number of participants analyzed. The PI has retired and left the institution. Efforts were made to contact the PI but were unsuccessful. No study data are available for any results modules.	one year