Training of Eye Movements in Glaucoma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the trial is to investigate the possibilities of improving visual impairments with eye training exercises (eye-yoga) in a total of 40 patients with glaucoma who have not previously been treated within a similar training program. 20 patients will be instructed how to do eye yoga to be performed dails for 4 weeks (max 30 min/day). As a control group of 20 patients will be instructed to read for 30 min/day for 4 weeks. The following outcome measures will be investigated: High Resolution Perimetry, Humphrey Perimetry, Visual Acuity Test, Contrast Sensitivity Test, Microsaccades measurements, Intraocular Pressure Measurement, Electroencephalogram (EEG), Blood Pressure and Pulse Measurement and Dynamic Vessel Analysis (DVA - the blood supply in the eye (especially vascular dysregulation) . Furthermore, factors that could influence response variability and the effectiveness of treatment will be analysed: (i) the role of mental stress (or stress resilience) and (ii) the influence of personality traits and quality of life. The study is intended to further validate this home training program (eye yoga) for the treatment of visual impairment in glaucoma.

Detailed Description
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The aim of eye yoga is to improve microsaccade impairments in patient with primary open angle glaucoma. We will study how this affects visual performance and the physiology of the eye and brain

Official Title
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Alternative Home Training Possibilities for Glaucoma Patients

Conditions
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Glaucoma, Eye Yoga

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Eye yoga
* Behavioral: Passive Reading


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: clinical diagnosis of glaucoma residual vision the duration of the disease must be at least 6 months old the visual field defect must be stable Exclusion Criteria: autoimmune diseases in the acute stage neurological and mental diseases diabetic retinopathy addictions hypertension (maximum 160/100 mmHg) retinitis pigmentosa- pathological nystagmus non-distant tumors or recurrent tumors photosensitivity pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Eye Yoga group<br>Eye yoga exercises | Behavioral: Passive Reading<br>* Passive reading at home<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Reading Group<br>Passive reading | Behavioral: Eye yoga<br>* Eye yoga exercises at home given by a trained instructor<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual field size determined by perimetry measurements | Changes of the visual field's size, evaluated by static perimetry and high resolution perimetry measurements | 4 weeks | 
| Microsaccade measurements | Changes in the deviation of eye movements when visual targets are followed, using a computerized test | 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood circulation in the eye | Changes of the diameter of blood vessels in the eye, measured by vessel analysis | 4 weeks | 
| EEG connectivities | Changes in alpha power using EEG recording (128 channels) | 4 weeks |