Understanding how increased eye pressure affects glaucoma damage

Effects of Elevated Intraocular Pressure on the Lamina Cribrosa

NA · NYU Langone Health · NCT03400137

This study tests how a short increase in eye pressure affects the optic nerve in people with glaucoma to better understand the damage it causes.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorNYU Langone Health (other)
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT03400137 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms behind glaucomatous damage by examining the effects of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on the optic nerve head and lamina cribrosa in living subjects. Participants will undergo a brief increase in eye pressure, and the resulting changes will be assessed using optical coherence tomography imaging. The study will measure the deformation of the lamina cribrosa in response to IOP modulation, providing insights into the pathophysiology of glaucoma.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy volunteers, glaucoma suspects, and patients with diagnosed glaucoma who meet specific inclusion criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with media opacity, strabismus, or diabetes with retinopathy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of glaucoma, potentially reducing vision loss for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on IOP modulation exist, this specific approach focusing on in-vivo mechanical responses is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy volunteers

* No family history (first degree relative) of glaucoma.
* No history of IOP \>22 mmHg.
* Normal appearing optic discs and RNFL on dilated fundus examination.
* Normal Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA) standard perimetry tests as defined by glaucoma hemifield test (GHT) within normal limits.

Glaucoma suspects

* Normal visual field as defined above.
* Either IOP between 25 to 30 mmHg with central corneal thickness \< 550µm, or a difference ≥ 0.2 in cup to disc ratio between eyes.

Glaucoma

* Glaucomatous ONH abnormality: rim thinning, notching, undermining (excavation) or diffuse or localized RNFL defects that are characteristic of glaucoma.
* Two consecutive abnormal SITA standard perimetry tests with GHT outside normal limits.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Media opacity (e.g. lens, vitreous, cornea).
* Strabismus, nystagmus or a condition that would prevent fixation.
* Diabetes with evidence of retinopathy.
* Previous intraocular surgery or ocular trauma (with the exception of laser procedures and subjects that have undergone uneventful cataract surgery more than 6 months from enrollment date).
* Neurological and non-glaucomatous causes for visual field damage.
* Any intraocular non-glaucomatous ocular disorders.

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Intraocular Pressure

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.