View clinical trials related to Ocular Inflammatory Disease.
Filter by:This study will examine blood cells and other tissue samples from people with uveitis (eye inflammation) to try to gain a better understanding of this condition. It will look at 1) the differences in cells when uveitis is active and when it is under control; 2) the genes that control the functions of these cells during different stages of the condition; and 3) the proteins the cells make at these different stages. Patients 6 years of age or older with an eye inflammation of at least 8 weeks' duration may be eligible for this study. They must currently be enrolled in another NEI protocol for evaluation or treatment of uveitis. Participants will provide blood and possibly eye tissue samples as follows: Blood samples: Blood samples will be drawn, probably from an arm vein, during periods when the inflammation is bad and when it is quiet. No more than 60 mL (about 4 tablespoons) will be drawn at any visit, and no more than eight samples will be collected in 1 year. Tissue samples: For patients who require eye surgery, a sample of tissue or fluid that is removed as a routine part of surgery may be provided to investigators in this study for research purposes. Samples will be collected during patients' visits scheduled as part of their other protocol. The samples will be labeled with a special code number to preserve the patient's identity.
This study will examine the proteins of people with uveitis, or inflammation of the eyes. Evaluating the vitreous, the colorless transparent substance that fills the eyeball in back of the lens, is now possible with the use of new microtechnology. There is an opportunity to evaluate the kinds of proteins that are present in severe, noninfectious sight-threatening uveitis. Patients ages 18 and older who have been enrolled in the Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) study at NIH may be eligible for this study. Up to 200 patients eventually may be enrolled. Researchers will study the vitreous that will be removed from patients' eyes during an operation to insert a steroid implant. The steroid implant is used instead of immunosuppressive therapy, a way to reduce the action of the immune system. Patients will undergo a procedure involving a small hole made in the eye into which the implant is placed. Normally a small amount of the vitreous comes out during that procedure, and in this study, the vitreous specimen will be taken for testing of inflammatory products. At the same time, a small sample of blood, about 1-1/2 tablespoons, will be collected so that the researchers can compare inflammatory products that may be in the blood with those in the vitreous. If a patient needs to have the implant placed again during the study, he or she would be asked permission for collection of the vitreous and blood samples, as previously. Samples collected will not be used to diagnose patients' conditions or to change any treatments being done. All samples will be labeled with special code numbers so that there is no identifying information about patients. This study will not involve examinations or scheduled visits of patients.