Registry and natural history study of retinal dystrophies linked to rare genetic variants
Official title: Universal Rare Gene Study: A Registry and Natural History Study of Retinal Dystrophies Associated With Rare Disease-Causing Genetic Variants
Run by Jaeb Center for Health Research · NCT05589714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to track how inherited eye conditions linked to rare genetic changes affect people over time, while also creating a registry to help understand these conditions better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Jaeb Center for Health Research Academic / other |
| Locations | 36 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 35 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 11, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 15, 2029 |
| Study ends | December 15, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05589714 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals aged 4 years and older with a confirmed genetic variant on the RD Rare Gene List.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without a genetic variant on the RD Rare Gene List or those who do not meet the genetic screening criteria may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This international, multicenter study aims to create a registry and conduct a natural history study for patients with inherited retinal degeneration associated with rare genetic variants. It involves standardized genetic screening and clinical data collection, focusing on genotype and phenotype characterization. Participants will be enrolled based on their genetic reports, and the study will track the progression of their conditions over time. The study also aims to establish a link to the My Retina Tracker Registry and conduct ancillary exploratory studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of retinal dystrophies and improve patient management and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies focusing on genetic registries and natural history have shown promise in understanding rare diseases, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants must meet all the following inclusion criteria at the Registry/Screening Visit to be eligible to enroll into the genetic screening phase: 1. Willing to participate in the study and able to communicate consent during the consent process 2. Willing and able to complete all applicable Registry/Screening Visit assessments 3. Age ≥ 4 years 4. Must have a single gene on the RD Rare Gene List which meets one of the Genetic Screening Criteria below based on a genetic report\* from a clinically certified lab (or from a research lab which has been approved by the study Genetics Committee): Inheritance Pattern is Recessive and has at least 2 disease-causing variants which are homozygous or heterozygous in trans OR Inheritance Pattern is Recessive and has 2 disease-causing variants with unknown phase and meets all the following additional informatic criteria that is consistent with likely segregation in trans: 1. Investigator confirms genotype and phenotype are consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance 2. The 2 disease-causing variants have not been reported in cis in variant databases 3. No additional potentially pathogenic variants were found on the gene (and the sequencing data for the gene were sufficiently robust to detect any additional potentially pathogenic variants) 4. No potentially pathogenic variants were found in other common, likely candidate genes for the proposed condition OR Inheritance Pattern is Dominant, X-linked, or Mitochondrial and has at least 1 disease-causing variant Both eyes must meet the following criteria at the Registry/Screening Visit to enroll into the genetic screening phase: 1. Both eyes must have a clinical diagnosis of retinal dystrophy 2. Both eyes must permit good quality photographic imaging (e.g., but not limited to, clear ocular media, adequate pupil dilation, stable fixation) Exclusion Criteria: Participants must not meet any of the following exclusion criteria at the Registry/Screening Visit to be eligible to enroll into the genetic screening phase: 1\. History of more than 1 year of cumulative treatment, at any time, with an agent associated with pigmentary retinopathy including amiodarone, chloroquine, deferoxamine, hydroxychloroquine, pentosan polysulfate, tamoxifen, and deferoxamine Note: Since this is an observational study, pregnant women will not be specifically excluded from participation. However, minors that are pregnant shall be precluded from participation until they become the age of majority. Ocular Exclusion Criteria: If either eye has any of the following ocular exclusion criteria at the Registry/Screening Visit, then the participant is not eligible to enroll into the genetic screening phase: 1. Current vitreous hemorrhage 2. Current complications of pathological myopia (for example, but not limited to, myopic maculopathy including atrophy, scar, choroidal neovascularization, schisis) that could inhibit ability to obtain good quality photographic imaging 3. History of intraocular surgery (for example, but not limited to, cataract surgery, vitrectomy, penetrating keratoplasty, or LASIK) within 3 months of Registry/Screening Visit 4. Current or any history of confirmed diagnosis of glaucoma (for example, but not limited to, glaucomatous VF changes or nerve changes, or history of glaucoma filtering surgery) 5. Current or any history of retinal vascular occlusion or proliferative diabetic retinopathy 6. History or current evidence of ocular disease that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may confound assessment of visual function (for example, but not limited to, tractional or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, any vitreoretinal surgery, retinal vascular occlusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy) 7. The following medications and treatments are prohibited as they can affect progression of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The participant must not have received the following treatments: Any use of ocular stem cell or gene therapy Any treatment with ocriplasmin Treatment with Ozurdex (dexamethasone), Iluvien, or Yutiq (fluocinolone acetonide) intravitreal implant 8. The following medications and treatments are excluded within the specified timeframe: Treatment with an ophthalmic oligonucleotide within the last 9 months (last treatment date is less than 9 months prior to Registry/Screening Visit date) Treatment with any other product within five times the expected half-life of the product (time from last treatment date to Registry/Screening Visit date is at least 5 times the half-life of the given product)
Where it's running
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University of Arkansas, Jones Eye Institute
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
USC Roski Eye Institute
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting -
University of Florida Health Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, United States Recruiting -
University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Emory University, Emory Eye Center
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting
Show 30 more locations
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Johns Hopkins University, Wilmer Eye Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Harvard Univ., Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
Duke University, Duke Eye Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Oregon Health & Science Univ., Casey Eye Institute
Portland, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
University of Pennsylvania, Scheie Eye Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
UPMC Eye Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Retina Foundation of the Southwest
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Eye Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
University of Utah, John Moran Eye Center
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting -
University of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
Centre for Eye Research Australia
East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Recruiting -
INRET Clínica e Centro de Pesquisa
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Recruiting -
Instituto de Genética Ocular
São Paulo, São Paulo Province, Brazil Recruiting -
University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Recruiting -
University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
University Health Network
Toronto, Canada Recruiting -
Helsinki University Hospital
Helsinki, Finland Recruiting -
CHNO des Quinze-Vingts
Paris, France Recruiting -
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center
Jerusalem, Israel Recruiting -
Vista Vision Eye Clinic
Brescia, Italy Recruiting -
Retina and Genomics Institute
Yucatán, Merida, Mexico Recruiting -
Radboud University Medical Center
Nijmegen, Netherlands Recruiting -
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, Norway Recruiting -
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland Recruiting -
University Hospital Jules-Gonin
Lausanne, Switzerland Recruiting -
Moorfields Eye Hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Ghent University
Ghent, Belgium Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Coordinating Center
- Email: ffb@jaeb.org
- Phone: 813-975-8690
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.