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RecruitingNCT01778543Updated Sep 30, 2026

Pathogenesis and Genetics of Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and Uveal Coloboma (MAC)

An observational study in Coloboma, Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia, sponsored by National Eye Institute (NEI). Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 1 Year to 100 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.

Sponsored by National Eye Institute (NEI) · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jan 2013; still recruiting 13 years 8 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
600
Ages
1 Year to 100 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Background:

- Uveal coloboma is a condition where the eye does not form normally. It occurs early in the fetus s development during pregnancy. It can lead to different kinds of eye problems, including blindness. Uveal coloboma is part of a spectrum of developmental eye conditions that include anophthalmia and microphthalmia, typically referred to as "MAC". Several genes have been linked to MAC, but the cause of most causes are hard to find. Researchers want to study the genes of people who have MAC and genes from their close, unaffected relatives (such as parents and siblings).

Objectives:

- To study the genes associated with MAC.

Eligibility:

- Individuals at least 1 years of age who either have MAC or are an unaffected relative (such as a parent or sibling).

Design:

  • Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also have a full eye exam.
  • Participants with MAC may have other exams, such as imaging studies and hearing assessments.
  • All participants will also provide blood, cheek swab or saliva or DNA samples for genetic testing.
Read the detailed description

Objective: The objectives of this study are to: 1) define ocular, systemic, and other associations in a cohort of well-phenotyped participants with microphthalmia, anophthalmia and/or uveal coloboma (MAC); 2) define risk factors and microforms of MAC in relatives of affected individuals; and 3) establish a repository of DNA and/or lymphoblastoid cell lines from select participants for use in laboratory investigations when scientifically indicated.

Study Population: Six hundred (600) individuals of at least one year of age with documented MAC and their relatives will be enrolled. A subset of approximately 100 participants who are eligible and interested will be referred to enroll in this study from the Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, and Coloboma Genetic Epidemiology in Children (MAGIC Study) at Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor Protocol # H-49046, NCT06293560).

Design: This is a natural history/genetic repository study. Six hundred (600) participants will be enrolled over fifteen years. Participants will undergo a complete age-appropriate baseline eye examination and physical examination and provide a blood, buccal cell/saliva, or DNA sample.

Outcome Measures: The tests, data and samples collected will be analyzed to better understand the genetics of MAC. In particular, ocular, and systemic associations will be defined in a cohort of well-phenotyped participants with MAC, as will the risk factors and microforms of these disorders in relatives of affected individuals.

02

Conditions studied

  • Coloboma
  • Anophthalmia
  • Microphthalmia

Keywords

  • Repository
  • Natural History
  • Genetics
03

In context

Lead sponsor

National Eye Institute (NEI) is the lead sponsor of 266 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.

Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 8 (100%) have results posted.

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

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
1 Year to 100 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Participants will be ascertained through other pre-existing protocols, such as the NEI Ocular Natural History protocol (16-EI-0134), the NEI Screening protocol (08-EI-0102), through another similar, existing protocol or through referral from an outside clinician after a review of pertinent medical records. Six hundred (600) participants of at least one year of age with documented MAC and their relatives will be enrolled. A subset of approximately 100 participants who are eligible and interested will be referred to enroll in this study from the MAGIC Study at Baylor College of Medicine.

Inclusion criteria

  • The participant must be one year of age or older.
  • The participant must be able to cooperate with an age-appropriate eye examination or be able to provide a copy of a complete eye examination report.
  • The participant must be able to provide a blood, buccal/saliva, or DNA sample.
  • The participant must be able to understand and sign this protocol s informed consent form OR have a legally authorized representative (LAR) with the ability to do the same.
  • The participant must either:

    • a. be affected by MAC(i) OR
    • b. be an asymptomatic relative of an affected individual.

      (i) Participants will be considered to be affected if they have a clear ocular phenotype related to MAC or if they are deemed affected by other clinical evaluations (e.g., the presence of a unique, systemic manifestation co-segregating with MAC, or a rare or unique kidney finding).

Exclusion criteria

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • Female participants who are pregnant are not eligible for enrollment. After giving birth, the female participant and/or a LAR may reach out regarding participation in the study.
  • Participants who are NEI employees or subordinates or co-workers of an investigator will be excluded from this study; however, non-NEI NIH employees may enroll in the study.
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
600 participants (estimated)

Groups and cohorts

  • MAC

    Participants with MAC and their family members.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. The tests, data, and samples collected will be analyzed to better understand the genetics of MAC.

    The tests, data, and samples collected will be analyzed to better understand the genetics of MAC.

    Time frame: end of study

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
    Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Minor edits
Nothing that changes what the study is or who can join. Edited: verification date
1 update, last Sep 30, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Sep 30, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: verification date

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01778543
Lead sponsor
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jan 29, 2013
Start date
Jan 8, 2013
Primary completion
Dec 27, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 30, 2026

Study contacts

Daniel W Claus, R.N.
Contact
daniel.claus@nih.gov
(301) 451-1621
Brian P Brooks, M.D.
principal investigator · National Eye Institute (NEI)

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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