Universal Rare Gene Study: Retinal Dystrophies

This study is looking into inherited retinal degenerations, including retinitis pigmentosa, which are eye conditions that can lead to vision loss. It's an observational study, meaning researchers will collect information about your condition over time without giving you any new treatments. The goal is to understand how these rare genetic conditions progress and how they affect your vision. Researchers will measure changes in your visual field sensitivity and how well you can see letters on an eye chart (visual acuity) at the start of the study and every year for four years. You can join if you are at least 4 years old and have a confirmed genetic diagnosis for one of the rare retinal degeneration genes being studied. The study aims to enroll 1500 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study with two parts: a Registry for genetic screening and data collection, and a Natural History Study that will follow participants over time. It aims to enroll 1500 participants.
What's involved
You would have your existing genetic report reviewed. If eligible, you would participate in annual phone calls or yearly in-person assessments for up to four years, where your vision will be tested.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for four years, with assessments at baseline and every year until study completion.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05589714

Universal Rare Gene Study: A Registry and Natural History Study of Retinal Dystrophies Associated With Rare Disease-Causing Genetic Variants

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 4+Observational
Jaeb Center for Health Research
~1,500 participants
Updated 2026-09-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
35 of 36 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Functional Outcome: Characterize change using Visual field sensitivity measured with quantitative topographic analysis (hill of vision [HOV])
Measured over Baseline and every year until study completion (4 years)
+10 more outcomes measured
Inherited Retinal Degeneration
Retinitis Pigmentosa

NCT05589714

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 36 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Eye Center

    Houston, Texasstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Centre for Eye Research Australia

    East Melbourne, Victoria, Australiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • CHNO des Quinze-Vingts

    Paris, Francestudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Duke University, Duke Eye Center

    Durham, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Emory University, Emory Eye Center

    Atlanta, Georgiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center

    Jerusalem, Israelstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Harvard Univ., Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

    Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Helsinki University Hospital

    Helsinki, Finlandstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • José-Alain Sahel, MD · STUDY_CHAIR · Director, UPMC Eye Center University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize change using Visual field sensitivity measured with quantitative topographic analysis (hill of vision [HOV])Baseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Static Perimetry (SP) using Octopus 900 Pro

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change Using Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) / HOTV Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) letter scoreBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Electronic Visual Acuity (EVA) system or ETDRS/HOTV charts

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change Using Low visual acuity test - for participants unable to see ETDRS lettersBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Berkeley Rudimentary Vision Test (BRVT) for Low Visual Acuity

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change Using ETDRS/HOTV best corrected low luminance visual acuity letter scoreBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Electronic Visual Acuity (EVA) system or ETDRS/HOTV charts

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change in Mean retinal sensitivityBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Fundus guided Microperimetry (MP) using MAIA

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change in Contrast sensitivity functionBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Contrast sensitivity CSV-1000E chart

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change in Retinal function using amplitudes and timing in response to rod- and cone-specific stimuliBaseline and at study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Full-field Electroretinogram (ffERG) Diagnosys Espion

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change in Full-field retinal sensitivityBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Full-field stimulus threshold (FST) testing to blue, white, and red stimuli using Diagnosys Espion

  • Functional Outcome: Characterize Change in Color vision functionBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Color vision testing using Lanthony D15

  • Structural Outcome: Characterize Change in Ellipsoid zone (EZ) area; outer nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer thicknessesBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) using Heidelberg Spectralis

  • Structural Outcome: Characterize Change Using Qualitative and quantitative assessments of autofluorescence patternBaseline and every year until study completion (4 years)

    Measured by Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) using Optos