Small RNA tRF-31 Changes in Patients With Age-Related Cataract

NCT07672899 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-0696
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the expression characteristics and clinical relevance of the tRF-31/HIPK2 signaling axis in adults over 18 years old with age-related cataract (ARC). The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a correlation between the relative expression levels of tRF-31 and its target gene HIPK2 in the anterior lens capsule and the clinical severity (Emery-Little grading system) of age-related cataracts? Does oxidative stress in the anterior segment microenvironment have a potential bystander effect on the state of the corneal endothelium? Participants will:Undergo routine preoperative ophthalmologic examinations, including visual acuity tests, slit-lamp photography, and corneal endothelial cell counting. Undergo standard cataract surgery (phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation) as part of their regular medical care. Allow researchers to collect and analyze their anterior lens capsule tissue, which is routinely removed and typically discarded as medical waste during the standard continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery.

Conditions

Cataract

Keywords

age-related cataract; oxidative stress; tRNA-derived small RNA

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Correlation between relative expression of tRF-31 and cataract nuclear hardness (Emery-Little grading system)

  Baseline (Preoperative, up to 1 month prior to surgery)

Interventions

Biospecimen collection (Anterior lens capsule) PROCEDURE

This is an observational study without investigational interventions. Participants will undergo standard-of-care phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation for age-related cataract. During the routine continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery, the central anterior lens capsule, which is typically discarded as medical waste, will be collected for subsequent molecular analysis. This tissue collection relies entirely on the standard surgical procedure and does not alter the patient's routine clinical treatment pathway in any way.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult patients over 18 years of age who have been clinically diagnosed with age-related cataract (ARC) and are scheduled to undergo routine phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation at the Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

You may qualify if:

• Patients older than 18 years. Clinically diagnosed with age-related cataract (ARC) and have clear surgical indications for routine phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Scheduled to undergo cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Completed routine preoperative corneal endothelial specular microscopy, providing objective data including cell density, coefficient of variation of cell area, and the proportion of hexagonal cells. Provided signed written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of ocular trauma, glaucoma, episodes of active uveitis, or previous intraocular surgery. Presence of severe systemic diseases rendering the patient unsuitable for surgery. Poor patient compliance or coexisting psychiatric disorders. Severe systemic metabolic syndromes (e.g., diabetes). Diagnosis of high myopia. Current participation in other clinical trials or likelihood of being lost to follow-up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cataract

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lens Diseases; Eye Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Yueyang Zhong

CONTACT

+86+ 18868125901; yyzbzhong@zju.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 29, 2026
• Study Start: June 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 16, 2026
• Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

CN (1)