How a quick sugar dose affects choroidal thickness

Effects of Acute Sugar Intake on Choroidal Thickness

Not applicable Interventional Southern College of Optometry · NCT07376005

We will see if taking 30 grams of glucose changes the thickness of the macular choroid in adults without diabetes who have less than 6 diopters of refractive error.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment47 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 35 Years
SexAll
SponsorSouthern College of Optometry Academic / other
Locations1 site (Memphis, Tennessee)
Trial IDNCT07376005 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, repeated-measures study in which fasting participants will undergo a baseline macular OCT scan of the right eye using the Heidelberg Spectralis. Participants will then consume 30 grams of glucose as glucose tablets and remain onsite for three hours. Macular OCT scans will be repeated every 30 minutes after sugar intake to track choroidal thickness over time. Subjects must abstain from food during the visit and avoid caffeine for 12 hours prior; people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, retinal pathology, significant refractive error, or other systemic/ocular conditions are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults without diabetes or pre-diabetes, with less than 6 diopters of spherical equivalent refractive error, no known retinal disease, and able to fast and avoid caffeine are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes, known retinal pathology, high refractive error (>6 D), or other systemic/ocular conditions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If an acute glucose load changes choroidal thickness, clinicians could better understand short-term metabolic effects on choroidal blood flow and timing of imaging for eye conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies link systemic glucose changes to ocular blood flow, but repeated OCT measurement of choroidal thickness after an acute oral glucose load is limited and relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* In order to be eligible for enrolment, each subject must have less than 6 diopters of spherical equivalent refractive error, and have no existing diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any potential subject with known retinal pathology will be excluded. Any potential subject with any other known systemic or ocular conditions that may impact their ability to participate in the study or provide generalizable data will also be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Memphis, Tennessee

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Choroid
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.