Eye movement and visual attention in people with thyroid-associated eye disease
Eye Tracking Study on Eye Movement Function and Visual Attention Patterns in Patients With Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy
This project uses non-invasive eye tracking to test whether people with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy track moving objects and scan faces differently than healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shanghai Changzheng Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shanghai) |
| Trial ID | NCT07381413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project will enroll about 100 participants, including people with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and healthy volunteers. Participants will sit in front of a screen while non-invasive eye-tracking equipment records gaze patterns as they follow moving targets and view faces. Investigators will measure eye stability, tracking accuracy, and how participants scan facial features to quantify physical and social-visual impacts of TAO. The goal is to produce objective data that could inform future monitoring and treatment strategies.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–70 with adequate corrected vision who have TAO or are healthy volunteers, can give informed consent, and can follow on-screen instructions.
Not a fit: People with severe visual impairment, neurological or psychiatric disorders, prior eye muscle surgery, or recent use of sedating medications are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could provide objective measures of eye movement and social-visual changes that help clinicians track disease progression and personalize treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Eye-tracking has been used successfully to characterize gaze and eye-movement patterns in other ocular and neurologic conditions, but its application specifically to TAO is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 18 and 70 years, inclusive. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 1.0 in both eyes, with no history of ocular diseases or thyroid disorders. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-TAO Ocular Motility Disorders: History of conditions like myasthenia gravis, cranial nerve palsy, or congenital strabismus. * Neurological Diseases: Disorders affecting oculomotor control (e.g., Parkinson's, MS, stroke, or brain tumors). * Significant Visual Impairment: BCVA \< 0.5 due to media opacities or retinopathy, preventing clear visualization of stimuli. * Prior Ocular Surgery: History of surgeries affecting extraocular muscle mechanics (e.g., strabismus surgery, scleral buckling). * Psychiatric or Cognitive Disorders: Inability to follow instructions or conditions affecting eye movements (e.g., schizophrenia). * Medication Interference: Use of drugs affecting reaction time (e.g., sedatives) within 48 hours of testing.
Where this trial is running
Shanghai
- Changzheng Hospital — Shanghai, China (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.