Treating Psychosocial Distress in Glaucoma

Launched by DUKE UNIVERSITY · Sep 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping people with glaucoma who are experiencing emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression. The researchers are developing a program that uses techniques from a type of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), delivered through a mobile app. The study will take place in three phases: first, they will create a basic version of the program; next, they will gather feedback from patients and healthcare professionals to improve it; and finally, they will test how well the updated program works for participants.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma, and have had at least one previous visit to a Duke glaucoma clinic. They should also be able to understand and speak English. Participants will not be able to join if they have had recent glaucoma surgery, have serious mental health issues, or are legally blind. This study aims to find an effective way to support glaucoma patients in managing their emotional well-being, which could lead to future research on its effectiveness.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe chronic glaucoma (e.g., POAG),
• • had a visual field within the past year at the main Duke Eye Center,
• • been prescribed pressure lowering eye drop medication,
• • at least mild distress (based on PHQ-4),
• • 18 years old,
• • able to understand, speak, and read English, and
• • be able to provide informed consent.
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • diagnosed with borderline glaucoma or as a glaucoma suspect,
• • had a glaucoma surgery in past month (e.g., trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device/tube),
• • visual acuity of worse than 20/70 in the better seeing eye,
• • diagnosed with a major medical conditions (e.g., cancer, or another visual disorder, like macular degeneration),
• • diagnosed with a psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), and
• • reported or suspected cognitive impairment indicated by provider or chart review.