Glaucoma Screening for Glaucoma

(G-SEARCH Trial)

Overseen By Dionna Wittberg, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: No phone, No address, Recent optometry

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1-2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve early detection of glaucoma using telemedicine tools such as special eye scans and photos. Glaucoma is a stealthy eye disease that often shows no symptoms until advanced stages, making early detection essential. Participants will either receive screenings through tools like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Color Fundus Photography, and Tonometry, or receive educational materials, with some receiving the education later. Suitable candidates include Black individuals over 50, Hispanic individuals over 65, and individuals with diabetes over 50, all of whom have recently visited a specific health center. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in early glaucoma detection.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this glaucoma screening method is safe?

Research has shown that the tests used to check for glaucoma—Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Color Fundus Photography, and Tonometry—are safe for people. These tests are non-invasive, meaning they don't involve surgery or entering the body. They are also commonly used in regular eye exams, and most people handle them well.

These tests have been widely used without major safety issues. They help detect glaucoma early, a condition that can lead to vision loss if not treated. Some people might experience mild discomfort, such as bright lights or slight pressure, but serious side effects are rare.

In summary, these screening methods are proven to be safe and are generally considered safe for people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative screening techniques for glaucoma, a common eye condition that can lead to vision loss if untreated. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on standard eye exams and patient-reported symptoms, this trial incorporates Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Color Fundus Photography, and Tonometry to provide a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of the eye's health. These advanced imaging techniques can detect structural changes in the eye earlier and more accurately than standard methods, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. By enhancing the screening process, the trial aims to improve early detection rates and outcomes for patients with glaucoma.

What evidence suggests that glaucoma screening with OCT, fundus photography, and tonometry is effective for detecting undiagnosed glaucoma?

Research has shown that combining Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with fundus photography detects glaucoma more effectively than fundus photography alone. Participants in this trial's Screening arm may experience this combination, which has a 9.2% detection rate in screening programs. Studies also indicate that OCT effectively identifies structural damage related to glaucoma. When paired with machine learning, OCT diagnoses early and moderate glaucoma more accurately than human assessments. Together, these technologies enhance the chances of early glaucoma detection, crucial since the disease often presents no symptoms in its early stages. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jeremy D Keenan, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Yvonne Ou, MD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Californians at risk of glaucoma who haven't been diagnosed yet. It's not clear what specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are, but typically participants would need to meet certain age and health requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

I am Hispanic and 65 years old or older.

Must have been seen at the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) within the past month

I am Black and 50 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients without a valid phone number or mailing address

Patients who have had an optometry appointment within the past year

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment

Participants undergo telemedicine-based glaucoma screening using optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and tonometry

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as cataract surgery, eyeglasses purchase, and quality of life over a 12-month period

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Glaucoma Screening with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Color Fundus Photography, and Tonometry

Trial Overview The study tests if screening with OCT, color fundus photography, and tonometry can detect glaucoma better than just giving out educational brochures. Participants will be randomly assigned to get screened or receive the brochure.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Screening Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Group II: Education Active Control 1 Intervention

Group III: Delayed Education Active Control 1 Intervention

The same as the Educational Brochure arm, but delivered at the conclusion of the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9139676/

Combining Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus ... Therefore, fundus photography and OCT appears more effective than fundus photography alone for glaucoma screening. The sensitivity and specificity values of ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87219-w

OCT-based diagnosis of glaucoma and glaucoma stages ... Overall, ML outperforms mean human performance while diagnosing early and moderate glaucoma by 12.3% (SVM)–12.6% (RF) and 3.1% (RF)–3.5% (SVM) ...

3. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/1/216

Diagnostic Accuracy and Detection Rate of Glaucoma ... Conclusions: The combination of OCT images and fundus photographs yielded a detection rate of 9.2% in a population-based screening program with ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2162098923010551

Optical Coherence Tomography for the Diagnosis and ... Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that is widely employed in the evaluation of glaucomatous structural damage.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12313288/

Optical Coherence Tomography versus Optic Disc Photo ... This review article examines the strengths and limitations of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optic disc photography in glaucoma screening.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06854198

Glaucoma Screening to Enhance At-Risk Californians' Health This study is a randomized trial to evaluate whether glaucoma screening with established tests (e.g., optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-glaucoma-8-2025-8f305

Glaucoma Screening for Glaucoma · Info for Participants Generally, OCT, color fundus photography, and tonometry are non-invasive and widely used in eye exams, suggesting they are considered safe for human use. Show ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/12/5314

Study of Diagnostic Accuracy: Fundus Photography vs. ... In a glaucoma screening, FP's sensitivity was 55.4% while the sensitivity of FP + OCT was 80%; however, their levels of specificity were similar (92%). In the ...