AzTrials
AzTrials

EndometriosisRISENCT07232485

Retinal Imaging for Systemic Inflammation in Endometriosis

An observational study of Endometriosis, run by University of Edinburgh at 1 site in United Kingdom.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

There is increasing evidence that examining our eyes can tell us a lot of information about our health, and systemic diseases. Our plan is to compare the images taken of the back of eyes of women who have endometriosis with those of women who don't. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Endometriosis
How many people
100 participants
Where
1 siteUnited Kingdom
Study dates
3 Sep 2025to Sep 2029
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: This is a matched case-control study. We will recruit 50 women with endometriosis (case) and 50 women matched for age without endometriosis (controls).

Who may be able to join

  • Participants with a previous surgical or imaging diagnosis of endometriosis
  • Pre-menopausal women and those assigned female at birth
  • Aged 18 years and over
  • A past surgical or imaging diagnosis of endometriosis within the last 5 years from date of consent
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign the informed consent form
  • Healthy volunteers
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Women and those assigned female at birth
  • Aged 18 years and over
  • No history of endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign the informed consent form

Who cannot join

  • Participants with a previous surgical or imaging diagnosis of endometriosis
  • The subject has donated blood (450 ml) within the last 4 weeks
  • Known reproductive tract malignancy
  • Ocular Diseases:
  • Subjects with clinically diagnosed glaucoma, optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, cataracts, or other conditions that affect the ocular structures.
  • Subjects with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, or other retinal disorders.
Show all 27Show fewer
  • Subjects with any other ocular conditions that may influence the retinal or optic nerve structure.
  • Refractive Errors:
  • Subjects with high myopia (>6 diopters) or high hyperopia (>3 diopters).
  • Subjects with significant astigmatism (>2 dioptres) or other refractive errors.
  • Ocular Surgery History: Subjects with a history of ocular surgery, particularly involving the lens, cornea, retina, or optic nerve (e.g., laser vision correction, retinal surgeries, etc.).
  • Subjects with significant ocular trauma, corneal abnormalities, or active ocular infections that may interfere with OCT imaging.
  • Subjects with diabetes mellitus
  • Healthy volunteers
  • The subject has donated blood (450 ml) within the last 4 weeks
  • Known reproductive tract malignancy
  • A history of symptoms suggestive of endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain
  • Ocular Diseases:
  • Subjects with clinically diagnosed glaucoma, optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, cataracts, or other conditions that affect the ocular structures.
  • Subjects with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, or other retinal disorders.
  • Subjects with any other ocular conditions that may influence the retinal or optic nerve structure.
  • Refractive Errors:
  • Subjects with high myopia (>-6 dioptres) or high hyperopia (>+6 dioptres).
  • Subjects with significant astigmatism (>2 dioptres) or other refractive errors.
  • Ocular Surgery History: Subjects with a history of ocular surgery, particularly involving the lens, cornea, retina, or optic nerve (e.g., laser vision correction, retinal surgeries, etc.).
  • Subjects with significant ocular trauma, corneal abnormalities, or active ocular infections that may interfere with OCT imaging.
  • Subjects with diabetes mellitus

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United Kingdom1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Edinburgh

    Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 4UU

    Kexin Dong, 07301394870, K.Dong-2@sms.ed.ac.uk

    Recruiting

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

Official title: Retinal Imaging for the Assessment of Systemic Inflammation in Endometriosis

There is increasing evidence that examining our eyes can tell us a lot of information about our health, and systemic diseases. Our plan is to compare the images taken of the back of eyes of women who have endometriosis with those of women who don't. We want to study what eyes can reveal about endometriosis by analyzing the retinal images from a simple noninvasive eye scan, that is already being routinely used to provide immediate clinical information in other groups of patients (eg. diabetic eye screening).

Read the detailed description

What this study is about Endometriosis is now understood to affect the whole body, not just the pelvis. Many individuals with endometriosis show signs of low-grade systemic inflammation. The eye offers clinicians a clear, painless window on tiny blood vessels. Modern retinal scans can measure structure and blood flow at the back of the eye within minutes. This study will test whether retinal scans can serve as a non-invasive read-out of systemic inflammation in endometriosis. If successful, this approach could support assessment and longitudinal monitoring.

What will happen in the study

This is an exploratory case-control study. Women with endometriosis and age-matched women without endometriosis will be invited for a research visit at the Queen's Medical Research Institute (QMRI), Edinburgh. All participants will undergo the following retinal imaging:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): a quick scan showing retinal and choroidal layers.

OCT Angiography (OCT-A): a map of tiny retinal vessels without dye injections. Ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging (Optos): a large-field retinal image. Scans are painless, non-invasive, and similar to routine eye assessments. The eye-imaging component takes about 30-40 minutes; the entire visit lasts about 1 hour.

Participants with endometriosis will also complete a brief endometriosis-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (EHP-30) before imaging. A small blood sample (up to 40 mL) may be taken to measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammation markers immediately or in the future (with consent). Any surplus samples may be stored securely for related research. Healthy volunteers attend a single visit only. Participants with endometriosis may be invited for repeat assessments after treatment - for example, 3 - 6 months after surgery or initiation of new hormonal therapy, or 4 - 8 weeks after completing an endometriosis-related clinical trial - to repeat the same assessments.

Burden, risks, and discomforts Retinal imaging does not use ionising radiation and is considered low risk. Possible short-lived effects include eye strain or mild headache from fixation on a target light. Venepuncture may cause brief discomfort or mild bruising. Breaks will be scheduled if needed, and expected effects will be recorded in the study file.

Measurements and analyses Scan-derived measurements will include retinal thickness, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular volume, choroidal thickness, and retinal micro-vessel features. Between-group differences (endometriosis vs controls) will be analysed. Associations with blood inflammation markers will be assessed, and changes after treatment will be evaluated.

Data handling and confidentiality Study data are recorded in a case report form and entered into a secure REDCap database hosted by the University of Edinburgh. Personal details (e.g., contact information) are stored separately on secure systems with restricted access. Research data are pseudonymised using study ID codes. Data are retained and archived according to University/NHS Sponsor policies and UK data-protection law. Selected anonymised data and samples may be shared with academic or industry partners as described in the consent documents. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time; data collected up to withdrawal are retained for scientific and regulatory integrity.

Oversight and approvals The study is co-sponsored by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian (ACCORD) and conducted in line with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and all required approvals. Monitoring or audit may occur according to Sponsor procedures. The study ends after the last participant's last visit; a summary will be provided to the Research Ethics Committee.

Conditions
Endometriosis
Keywords
Endometriosis, Retinal imaging, Systemic inflammation
Medical subject headings
Endometriosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT07232485
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Endometriosis womenPre-menopausal women with a previous surgical or imaging diagnosis of endometriosis
Healthy volunteersPre-menopausal women with no history of endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Choroidal Thickness (Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS)

    Choroidal thickness quantified from OCT cross-sectional scans using the Heidelberg SPECTRALIS platform to compare endometriosis cases with matched controls at baseline.

    Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Retinal Thickness (Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS)

    Full-thickness retinal measurements derived from OCT (Heidelberg SPECTRALIS) for between-group comparison at baseline.

    Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) Thickness (Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS)

    RNFL thickness obtained on OCT for baseline comparison between endometriosis and matched controls.

    Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Macular Volume (Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS)

    Macular volume derived from OCT volume scans for baseline between-group comparison.

    Unit of Measure: cubic millimeters (mm³).

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Retinal Vessel Density (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS)

    OCT-A-based vessel density (non-invasive angiography) used to characterize retinal microvasculature for baseline between-group comparison.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%).

    Measured: Baseline

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Change from Baseline in Choroidal Thickness

    Within-participant change from baseline to the relevant post-intervention time point(s).

    Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  2. Change from Baseline in Retinal Thickness

    Within-participant change from baseline to post-intervention. Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  3. Change from Baseline in RNFL Thickness

    Description: Within-participant change from baseline to post-intervention. Unit of Measure: micrometers (µm).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  4. Change from Baseline in Macular Volume

    Within-participant change from baseline to post-intervention. Unit of Measure: cubic millimeters (mm³).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  5. Change from Baseline in Retinal Vessel Density

    Within-participant change from baseline to post-intervention using OCT-A vessel density.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  6. Correlation Between Serum C-reactive Protein and Choroidal Thickness (OCT)

    Association between serum CRP concentration (laboratory assay, mg/L) and choroidal thickness (OCT, µm). Pearson or Spearman as appropriate per analysis plan.

    Unit of Measure: correlation coefficient r (unitless).

    Measured: Baseline and post intervention (3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline)

  7. Correlation Between Serum C-reactive Protein and Retinal Thickness (OCT)

    Association between serum CRP (mg/L) and retinal thickness (µm). Unit of Measure: correlation coefficient r (unitless).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  8. Correlation Between Serum C-reactive Protein and RNFL Thickness (OCT)

    Association between serum CRP (mg/L) and RNFL thickness (µm). Unit of Measure: correlation coefficient r (unitless).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  9. Correlation Between Serum C-reactive Protein and Macular Volume (OCT)

    Association between serum CRP (mg/L) and macular volume (mm³). Unit of Measure: correlation coefficient r (unitless).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

  10. Correlation Between Serum C-reactive Protein and Retinal Vessel Density (OCT Angiography)

    Association between serum CRP (mg/L) and retinal vessel density (%) from OCT-A. Unit of Measure: correlation coefficient r (unitless).

    Measured: Baseline; and post-intervention at 3-6 months after surgery or new hormonal treatment; or 4-8 weeks after completion of an endometriosis-related clinical trial; assessments occur within up to 3 years of baseline.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Nov 2025
  2. Study start3 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completionAug 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completionSep 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
100 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07232485
Sponsor's protocol ID
25/WS/0103
Acronym
RISE
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
1 Sep 2025
Last updated
21 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: What IPD: De-identified participant-level datasets and surplus biological samples as applicable. With Whom/Conditions: Academic or industry partners, as described in the PIS/consent; no release of identifiable data; publications contain no personal data. How/Where: Secure transfer under data-sharing agreements; data stored in validated REDCap with controlled access.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Endometriosis, run by University of Edinburgh at 1 site in United Kingdom.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 27 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Kexin Dong (+447301394870, K.Dong-2@sms.ed.ac.uk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Choroidal Thickness (Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg SPECTRALIS) (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Oct 2026.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in