Rod and Cone Mediated Function in Retinal Disease

Description

Objective: The objective of this protocol is to investigate local changes in rod and cone photoreceptor function across the retina in healthy volunteers and participants with retinal disease.

Study Population: Up to 250 healthy volunteers and 250 participants, age five or older, with retinal disease.

Design: This single-center, observational, case-control study will be comprised of three related Aims that assess rod and cone function with commercial perimeters and/or a commercial Cambridge Research Systems computer monitor (Display++) specialized for displaying stimuli at low light intensities. For Aim 1 the normal retinal sensitivity ranges will be established for both fundus-guided and non-guided perimeters. For Aim 2, the normal range for describing the kinetics of dark adaptation following bleaching of retinal rhodopsin will be established for the fundus-guided and non-guided perimeters. For Aim 3, local changes in rod and cone photoreceptor function across the retina in participants with retinal disease will be examined from measurement of the kinetics of dark adaptation, scotopic and photopic retinal sensitivity, and/or Radial Frequency (RF) hyperacuity on the Display++ monitor. Testing may also include patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires to assess vision problems under low luminance conditions.

Outcome Measures: The primary outcome for this study is to establish normal ranges for A) the kinetics of dark adaptation (time), B) retinal sensitivity (dB) for the fundus-guided and non-guided perimeters, and C) RF hyperacuity on the Display++ monitor. The secondary outcomes will be to examine changes in the kinetics of dark adaptation, scotopic and photopic retinal sensitivity, and/or RF hyperacuity in participants with retinal disease and potentially correlate these clinical measures with patients self-reported evaluation of their vision under low luminance conditions.