Texture Discrimination in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients
Description:
This study is funded by the Helen Hoffritz Charitable Trust. The purpose of this study is to develop a vision test that can detect Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at its early stage. Participants of this study will view short presentations of computer-generated visual patterns and make some simple decisions on what they have seen. The study, which is made of 15-20 short tests, may be completed in three or four 1-hour sessions.
Eligibility:
Three groups of participants are needed.
Group I: Elderly Persons without AMD. The inclusion criteria for this group are: 55-year or older, no history of eye diseases, normal retinal appearance by ophthalmoscopic examination, clear media and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better.
Group II: Elderly Persons with early AMD. The inclusion criteria for this group are: 55-year or older, diagnosed as having early AMD in at least one eye, clear ocular media and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60 or better.
Group III: Elderly Persons with mild AMD. The inclusion criteria for this group are: 55-year or older, diagnosed as having mild AMD in at least one eye, clear ocular media and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60 or better.
Persons with major systemic pathology such as diabetes will be excluded from the study.
Compensation:
Participants of this study will be examined by an eye-care professional at the Lighthouse Low Vision clinic to determine the conditions of the eye.
Upon completion of the study, patients in Group I will be paid $30, and patients in Group II and III will be paid $60.
Contact Information:
If you would like to participate, call (212) 821-9510 or E-mail research@lighthouse.org