Hyperspectral imaging to map retinal and optic nerve structures
Defining Retinal Structures Using Hyperspectral Retinal Imaging
This study will test whether hyperspectral retinal imaging can detect disease-related features in adults with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and in healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Center for Eye Research Australia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Melbourne, Victoria) |
| Trial ID | NCT07555574 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will image about 1,000 adults at the Centre for Eye Research Australia using hyperspectral cameras alongside standard ophthalmic imaging such as OCT and fundus photography. Hyperspectral imaging captures retinal reflectance across more than 25 wavelength bands to create a spectral hypercube that may reveal tissue features not seen on conventional colour photos. Images will be processed with registration and spectral normalisation, and pixel-level signatures will be analysed using statistical and machine learning methods. Results will be compared with established imaging biomarkers to determine how well hyperspectral signatures distinguish different retinal and optic nerve conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older who can provide informed consent and either have a diagnosed retinal or optic nerve condition (for example diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration) or are age- and sex-matched healthy controls willing to attend the Centre for Eye Research Australia.
Not a fit: Participants with dense media opacities (like dense cataract or severe corneal opacity), vitreous haemorrhage, or those unable to undergo pupil dilation may not benefit because adequate hyperspectral imaging cannot be obtained, and the study offers no therapeutic intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, hyperspectral imaging could enable earlier or more precise, non-invasive detection and characterisation of retinal diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot studies and preclinical work have shown promise for hyperspectral retinal imaging to reveal novel biomarkers, but large-scale clinical validation remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years and older * Able to provide informed consent * Willing and able to attend a study visit at the Centre for Eye Research Australia * Participants with diagnosed retinal or optic nerve disease (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration) * Age- and sex-matched healthy control participants without known retinal or optic nerve disease Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide informed consent * Ocular conditions preventing adequate retinal imaging (e.g., dense cataract, severe corneal opacity, vitreous haemorrhage) * Known contraindication to pharmacological pupil dilation * History of narrow anterior chamber angle or risk of angle closure glaucoma where dilation is considered unsafe * Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would compromise participant safety or image quality
Where this trial is running
Melbourne, Victoria
- The Centre for Eye Research Australia — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Darvy Dang
- Email: darvy.dang@unimelb.edu.au
- Phone: +61 3 9959 0102
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.