NEUROPA - VERSION 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection under prostaglandin analogues: NEUROPA – a retrospective cohort study
IRAS ID
361678
Contact name
Ana Sofia A. Silva
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
AIBILI - Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NCT07074782, ClinicalTrials.gov ID
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
The NEUROPA study is exploring whether a commonly used type of eye drops for glaucoma - called prostaglandin analogues - can help protect nerve cells in the eye, beyond lowering the pressure inside the eye (known as intraocular pressure, or IOP).
Glaucoma is a common eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, often due to high IOP. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. Eye drops are typically used to lower this pressure and slow the disease. However, we do not yet know if some types of eye drops also directly protect the retinal ganglion cells - the cells responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain.
This research will compare two groups of patients:
1. One group of patients treated with prostaglandin analogue eye drops (such as latanoprost or bimatoprost).
2. A second group treated with other types of pressure-lowering eye drops, such as timolol or dorzolamide.
We will look at medical records from people who have been treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension (higher-than-normal eye pressure) and have had regular eye check-ups for at least three years. The data collected will include eye pressure readings, visual field tests, eye scans, vision tests, side effects, and how well patients followed their treatment.
The aim is to find out whether prostaglandin analogues offer extra protection for nerve cells and whether they should be considered the best long-term treatment.
This is an observational and retrospective study, meaning it looks at existing medical records and does not involve giving patients any new treatments. The research will take place in NHS Eye Clinics in the UK as well as other Clinical Sites in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. This study is funded by Viatris.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0300
Date of REC Opinion
3 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion