The Utility of IVCM to Assess Cellular Response and Efficacy of Long-term Topical Steroid Treatment in Patients With DED

NCT02120079 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 37

Last updated 2024-06-26

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Summary

This research study is looking to see if in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) imaging can be used to confirm clinical findings (which are noted by the doctor during an eye exam) and measure the immune response to the inflammation in the subject's cornea (the front part of the eyeball).

Additionally, this study is trying to determine the effectiveness of two eye-drops, Lotemax and artificial tears, in treating the inflammation associated with DED by measuring changes in immune cells with IVCM imaging. The subject will be treated with either Lotemax (loteprednol) or artificial tears (a lubricating eye drop with no medication). Lotemax is an FDA-approved steroid eye-drop that is often used to treat inflammation associated with DED. Artificial tears are approved by the FDA for treatment of dryness associated with DED.

Thus, this study is designed to determine the effects of the administration of a topical steroid, Lotemax, over a treatment period of 6 weeks, using novel methods of detecting efficacy. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, subjects will be prospectively randomized to one of two treatment arms - Lotemax or artificial tear. Both groups will follow the same study schedule.

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

Lotemax

Lotemax (loteprednol etabonate) 0.5% will be applied topically to both eyes for 6 weeks with the following regimen: four times a day for 2 weeks, twice daily for 2 weeks, and once daily for 2 weeks.

DRUG

Soothe Tired Eyes Lubricant Eye Drop (Artificial Tears)

Soothe Tired Eyes Lubricant Eye Drop will be applied topically to both eyes for 6 weeks with the following regimen: four times a day for 2 weeks, twice daily for 2 weeks, and once daily for 2 weeks.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM)

In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a new imaging method, which allows visualization of the corneal structures at the cellular level. With a magnification of 800 times, it makes it possible to detect and quantify changes in the epithelial layers and sub-basal nerve plexus.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Tufts Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Pedram Hamrah, MD · Tufts Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
89 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2014-02-28
Primary Completion
2017-04-30
Completion
2018-01-28

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02120079 on ClinicalTrials.gov