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CompletedNCT00812708Updated Dec 15, 2021Results posted

Clinical Evaluation of Morcher Artificial Iris Diaphragms

An interventional study of Morcher iris diaphragm implantation in Aniridia and Iris; Deformity, sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-12-15.

Sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 5 years 8 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Apr 2003, registered Dec 2008).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
72
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of Morcher iris diaphragms in the treatment of congenital and acquired aniridia. Morcher iris diaphragms are intraocular devices that are designed to provide an artificial pupil for patients suffering from partial or complete aniridia. These devices are constructed from clinical quality, ultraviolet light-absorbing, opaque black polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). After surgical implantation, patients are monitored over the course of 1 year to measure any changes to visual acuity and improvements in light and glare sensitivity.

Read the detailed description

Aniridia is a condition in which the iris, the colored portion of the eye, is either partially or completely absent. The iris is responsible for regulating the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.

Aniridia can either be a congenital condition, often a genetically-based abnormality affecting the formation of the iris, or it can be acquired by blunt trauma with or without rupture, penetrating trauma, or severe intraocular inflammation.

Aniridia can also vary in the level of severity. A mild case might involve a thinner iris or iris remnant with a normal pupil. A severe case might involve complete absence of the iris or impairment of the muscles responsible for adjusting pupil size.

Iris defects can occur without the loss of stromal tissue as well. In some cases, the iris pigment epithelium is missing. In other cases, holes are present in the iris or the pupil is chronically enlarged or mydriatic.

People who suffer from iris defects also commonly suffer from other eye conditions. Common comorbidities include glaucoma, cataract, and nystagmus. Other structures in the eye are often affected, including the cornea, crystalline lens, zonules, and retina. Iris defects can cause severe visual disability if untreated.

Common treatments for iris defects include the use of colored or tinted glasses or contact lenses to reduce the amount of light entering the eye.

In this trial, several Morcher iris diaphragms are being evaluated as a potential treatment to improve the symptoms associated with aniridia and other iris defects. Morcher iris diaphragms are manufactured in Germany by Morcher GmbH [website: http:// www.morcher.com]. These devices have been utilized in Europe to treat aniridic patients for over 40 years. Additionally, these devices hold the European CE mark of conformity.

When a patient is implanted with a Morcher iris device, surgery always involves additional standard of care surgical procedures. Typically, a device is implanted during cataract surgery along with an intraocular lens (IOL). Morcher devices can also be implanted during an IOL exchange with or without an anterior vitrectomy. All implantation procedures take place in an operating room under local or general anesthesia. In some cases, a Morcher iris reconstruction lens containing both an artificial iris and a lens is implanted. Also, depending on the condition of the eye, the lens and iris device may need to be sutured to the sclera, the white portion of the eye.

All patients undergoing surgery are prescribed 2 different eye drops, an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. These medications are used for up to 6 weeks following implantation of the device. There are 5 postoperative follow-up visits that each patient must complete. Visits occur at specific intervals over the course of a 1-year period. At each visit, standard of care procedures are performed and, at certain time points during the follow-up interval, digital photos and endothelial cell counts are obtained. In instances where both eyes are implanted, surgery for the second eye is scheduled 6 months or more later.

02

Conditions studied

  • Aniridia
  • Iris; Deformity

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Keywords

  • aniridia
  • Morcher iris diaphragms
  • modified capsule tension ring
  • artificial iris
  • iris reconstruction lens
  • glare sensitivity
  • photophobia
03

In context

Aniridia

23 studies on the registry are indexed under Aniridia; 8 are open to participants now.

Browse Aniridia studies →

Lead sponsor

University of California, Los Angeles is the lead sponsor of 1,142 studies on the registry; 192 are open to participants now.

Of its 91 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 66 (73%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Patient must be 18 years old and have partial or complete aniridia.
  • Be willing and able to comply with all follow-up requirements.
  • Must have increased light and/or glare sensitivity or complete aniridia.
  • Patients may be phakic, aphakic, or pseudophakic.
  • Phakic patients will require simultaneous cataract surgery.
  • Aphakic patients will require secondary intraocular lens implantation.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • The presence of any ocular condition that may cause complications from the surgical procedure
  • Active ocular infection or inflammation
  • Patients with allergies to operative and/or postoperative medications
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • Persons who, in the determination of the investigator, are not competent to understand the procedure or the actions asked of them as research subjects
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
72 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Morcher iris diaphragm implantation

    This is a non-randomized, non-comparative interventional surgical series. Patients will undergo Morcher iris diaphragm implantation in their affected eye(s). After surgery, patients will complete 5 postoperative examinations. At each examination, they will be evaluated for changes in light and glare sensitivity and visual acuity. They will also be monitored for adverse reactions.

    Device: Morcher iris diaphragm implantation

Interventions

  • DeviceMorcher iris diaphragm implantation

    Surgical implantation of Morcher iris device(s)

    Also known as: Morcher device models: 96F, 96S, 50D, 50F, and 67B

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Light and Glare Sensitivity as Determined by a Clinical Glare Test (Primary Efficacy Measure)

    The primary efficacy measure of the study was the change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) under glare conditions. A transilluminator light was held just in front of the distance corrected study eye in one of four quadrants (above, below, nasal, or temporal) to the line of sight to evoke a glare response. The direction that produced the worst CDVA was called the CDVA with glare. A ≥ 2 line improvement in Snellen CDVA with glare following Morcher device implantation was considered a positive clinical change (glare sensitivity better). A ≥ 2 line worsening of Snellen CDVA with glare following Morcher device implantation was considered a negative clinical change (glare sensitivity worse). A change of \< 2 Snellen lines following Morcher device implantation was considered to be a neutral change (glare sensitivity the same).

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively

  2. Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (Primary Safety Measure)

    The primary safety measure of the study was the change in best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) as measured using a Snellen eye chart. A ≥ 2 line improvement in Snellen CDVA following Morcher device implantation was considered a positive clinical change (visual acuity better). A ≥ 2 line worsening of Snellen CDVA following Morcher device implantation was considered a negative clinical change (visual acuity worse). A change of \< 2 lines was considered to be a neutral change (visual acuity the same).

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Glare Sensitivity Under Day Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)

    A secondary efficacy measure of the study was day time glare disability as assessed by subjective questionnaire. Glare disability was rated using a 0 to 10 scale, where 0 was considered very slight and 10 was considered very significant.

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively

  2. Change in Glare Sensitivity Under Night Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)

    Another secondary efficacy measure of the study was night time glare disability as assessed by subjective questionnaire. Glare disability was rated using a 0 to 10 scale, where 0 was considered very slight and 10 was considered very significant.

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively

  3. Change in Endothelial Cell Count (Secondary Safety Measure)

    A secondary safety measure of the study was the change in endothelial cell count. A loss of \>10% of central corneal endothelial cells was considered clinically significant at the onset of the study. (Note, the 10% loss criterion was established before the 67B implant was added to the list of study devices. The 67B implant has an expected greater cell loss than that associated with the 96F, 96S, 50D, and 50F modified capsule tension rings because it requires a larger incision for implantation. Thirty one (48.4%) of the 64 patients were implanted with the 67B device.)

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively

  4. Need to Explant or Exchange a Morcher Iris Diaphragm (Secondary Safety Measure)

    Another secondary safety measure of the study was the need to explant or exchange a Morcher iris diaphragm within 1 year of implantation. Explantation in \< 25% of patients was considered to be clinically acceptable.

    Time frame: Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively

07

Results

Posted Jun 28, 2018

Participant flow

Most patients were recruited from the principal investigator's ophthalmic practice. A few were referred by local ophthalmologists.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneMorcher Iris Diaphragm Study Group
Started72
Taken to surgery for device implantation66
Completed64
Not completed8
Withdrew: Device could not be implanted2
Withdrew: Lack of medical insurance1
Withdrew: Switched to another study1
Withdrew: Surgery cancelled due to uveitis1
Withdrew: Signed consent but later withdrew3

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in Light and Glare Sensitivity as Determined by a Clinical Glare Test (Primary Efficacy Measure)

The primary efficacy measure of the study was the change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) under glare conditions. A transilluminator light was held just in front of the distance corrected study eye in one of four quadrants (above, below, nasal, or temporal) to the line of sight to evoke a glare response. The direction that produced the worst CDVA was called the CDVA with glare. A ≥ 2 line improvement in Snellen CDVA with glare following Morcher device implantation was considered a positive clinical change (glare sensitivity better). A ≥ 2 line worsening of Snellen CDVA with glare following Morcher device implantation was considered a negative clinical change (glare sensitivity worse). A change of \< 2 Snellen lines following Morcher device implantation was considered to be a neutral change (glare sensitivity the same).

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Change in Light and Glare Sensitivity as Determined by a Clinical Glare Test (Primary Efficacy Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Glare sensitivity better51
Glare sensitivity the same12
Glare sensitivity worse1
PrimaryChange in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (Primary Safety Measure)

The primary safety measure of the study was the change in best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) as measured using a Snellen eye chart. A ≥ 2 line improvement in Snellen CDVA following Morcher device implantation was considered a positive clinical change (visual acuity better). A ≥ 2 line worsening of Snellen CDVA following Morcher device implantation was considered a negative clinical change (visual acuity worse). A change of \< 2 lines was considered to be a neutral change (visual acuity the same).

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (Primary Safety Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Visual acuity better35
Visual acuity the same28
Visual acuity worse1
SecondaryChange in Glare Sensitivity Under Day Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)

A secondary efficacy measure of the study was day time glare disability as assessed by subjective questionnaire. Glare disability was rated using a 0 to 10 scale, where 0 was considered very slight and 10 was considered very significant.

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Change in Glare Sensitivity Under Day Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Subjective day time glare sensitivity better57
Subjective day time glare sensitivity the same5
Subjective day time glare sensitivity worse2
SecondaryChange in Glare Sensitivity Under Night Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)

Another secondary efficacy measure of the study was night time glare disability as assessed by subjective questionnaire. Glare disability was rated using a 0 to 10 scale, where 0 was considered very slight and 10 was considered very significant.

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Change in Glare Sensitivity Under Night Time Lighting Conditions (Secondary Efficacy Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Subjective night time glare sensitivity better56
Subjective night time glare sensitivity the same5
Subjective night time glare sensitivity worse3
SecondaryChange in Endothelial Cell Count (Secondary Safety Measure)

A secondary safety measure of the study was the change in endothelial cell count. A loss of \>10% of central corneal endothelial cells was considered clinically significant at the onset of the study. (Note, the 10% loss criterion was established before the 67B implant was added to the list of study devices. The 67B implant has an expected greater cell loss than that associated with the 96F, 96S, 50D, and 50F modified capsule tension rings because it requires a larger incision for implantation. Thirty one (48.4%) of the 64 patients were implanted with the 67B device.)

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Change in Endothelial Cell Count (Secondary Safety Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Endothelial cell loss ≤ 10%17
Endothelial cell loss > 10%18
SecondaryNeed to Explant or Exchange a Morcher Iris Diaphragm (Secondary Safety Measure)

Another secondary safety measure of the study was the need to explant or exchange a Morcher iris diaphragm within 1 year of implantation. Explantation in \< 25% of patients was considered to be clinically acceptable.

Time frame:
Preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Need to Explant or Exchange a Morcher Iris Diaphragm (Secondary Safety Measure)
ParticipantsMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Morcher device explanted1
Morcher device not explanted63

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse event data were collected for 1 year following Morcher iris diaphragm implantation.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Morcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group0/64 (0%)6/64 (9.4%)5/64 (7.8%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Decentered piggyback intraocular lensEye disorders1/64
Retained lens fragmentEye disorders1/64
Corneal failureEye disorders1/64
Corneal graft-host interface leakEye disorders1/64
Morcher iris diaphragm rotationEye disorders1/64
Retinal detachmentEye disorders1/64
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventMorcher Iris Diaphragm Implantation Group
Ocular hypertensionEye disorders2/64
Intraoperative hyphemaEye disorders1/64
Cystoid macular edemaEye disorders1/64
Acute iritisEye disorders1/64

Baseline characteristics

One eye per patient was enrolled, thus the number of study eyes equals the number of study participants.

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Morcher Iris Diaphragm Study Group
<=18 years0
Between 18 and 65 years47
>=65 years25
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Morcher Iris Diaphragm Study Group
Female21
Male51
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Morcher Iris Diaphragm Study Group
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian8
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American2
White47
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported15
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(Participants)Morcher Iris Diaphragm Study Group
United States72
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Stein Eye Institute, UCLA
    Los Angeles, California 90095-7000, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Chung MY, Miller KM, Weissman BA. Morcher iris reconstruction lens and rigid contact lens for traumatic aniridia. Eye Contact Lens. 2009 Mar;35(2):108-10. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e318199b00b. PubMed 19265334 ↗
  • Olson MD, Masket S, Miller KM. Interim results of a compassionate-use clinical trial of Morcher iris diaphragm implantation: report 1. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2008 Oct;34(10):1674-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.05.048. PubMed 18812117 ↗
  • Date RC, Olson MD, Shah M, Masket S, Miller KM. Outcomes of a modified capsular tension ring with a single black occluder paddle for eyes with congenital and acquired iris defects: Report 2. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2015 Sep;41(9):1934-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2015.10.001. PubMed 26603402 ↗
  • Miller KM, Nicoli CM, Olson MD, Shah M, Masket S. Outcomes of implantation of modified capsule tension rings with multiple black occluder paddles for eyes with congenital and acquired iris defects: Report 3. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Jun;42(6):870-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.03.035. PubMed 27373394 ↗
  • Lin SR, Miller KM. Lessons Learned from Implantation of Morcher 50D and 96S Artificial Iris Diaphragms. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2017 Nov 23;8(3):527-534. doi: 10.1159/000484128. eCollection 2017 Sep-Dec. PubMed 29515428 ↗
  • Miller KM, Kuo A, Olson MD, Masket S. Safety and efficacy of black iris diaphragm intraocular lens implantation in eyes with large iris defects: Report 4. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018 Jun;44(6):686-700. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2018.03.033. Epub 2018 Jul 4. PubMed 30041739 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 15, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00812708
Lead sponsor
University of California, Los Angeles
Responsible party
Kevin M. Miller, MD (Kolokotrones Chair in Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 22, 2008
Start date
Apr 9, 2003
Primary completion
Jun 20, 2014
Completion
Dec 7, 2021
Results posted
Jun 28, 2018
Last update
Dec 15, 2021

Study contacts

Kevin M Miller, MD
principal investigator · University of California, Los Angeles

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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