Scleritis

Researchers are investigating the effects of an investigational cold treatment device called ETX-4143 on the eye's surface anatomy and inflammatory response in people with chronic ocular surface pain (COSP). This study aims to understand changes to corneal surface nerves and inflammatory mediators after treatment, while also evaluating the safety of this cooling device. The study involves detailed imaging and tear sample analysis to learn more about the condition and treatment impact. The ETX-4143 Device is a handheld cooling tool containing a frozen mixture that cools metallic probes touching the eye's conjunctival surface without direct contact with the frozen mixture. Before treatment, local anesthesia and a corneal shield are applied to protect the eye. Participants will receive a 4-minute cold treatment to the worse eye using this device. This single-center study will treat 5 adults with chronic ocular surface pain and follow them for 12 weeks. Participants will be screened for chronic ocular surface pain and will complete weekly eye pain questionnaires for 12 weeks. Clinic visits at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment will include corneal surface imaging and tear sample collection. Both eyes will be assessed with confocal microscopy and tear osmolarity tests, using the untreated eye as a control. The main measurement is corneal nerve imaging analysis over the 12-week period, alongside safety monitoring by the medical team.

Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia, which is generally safe but can cause pain, anxiety, and discomfort for some patients. This research evaluates the effect of oral anti-anxiety medication, specifically Alprazolam, on improving patient satisfaction during second eye cataract surgery. The study aims to clarify whether oral sedation can reduce pain, anxiety, and side effects like nausea and dizziness compared to no sedation during phacoemulsification. Patients will receive either a single oral dose of Alprazolam or a placebo tablet 30 minutes before surgery. The dose of Alprazolam is 0.5 mg for most patients, with a reduced 0.25 mg dose for those over 65 years or with liver disease. The study compares these groups to assess how oral sedation affects anxiety, pain, and surgical satisfaction. This is an extension study involving patients undergoing surgery on their second eye with topical anesthesia. During the trial, participants will complete questionnaires assessing pain, anxiety, and overall satisfaction before and after surgery. Researchers will monitor intraoperative discomfort and postoperative anxiety levels. Data from approximately 250 patients will be collected and analyzed for these outcomes. This study runs from March 2025 to December 2027, focusing on improving cataract surgery experiences safely and conveniently.

Researchers are studying the relationship between clinical factors and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients who receive tropicamide/phenylephrine 8 mg/50 mg/mL. This study aims to identify which clinical determinants may increase the risk of these reactions and provide safety information for this commonly used ophthalmic drug combination. It also seeks to establish safety measures for patients undergoing eye examinations or surgery where these drugs are used. The study involves hospitalized patients scheduled for surgery who will receive two drops of tropicamide/phenylephrine 8 mg/50 mg/mL. Vital signs will be measured before administration and then at several time points afterward, including 5, 15, 30 minutes, and 1, 2, and 3 hours post-administration. Data will be collected using questionnaires and analyzed to find associations between clinical factors and adverse reactions. Participants will be monitored closely through vital sign checks and questionnaires during the study period. Researchers will evaluate adverse drug reactions and clinical determinants to understand their connection. The main outcome is to assess vital signs at set intervals following drug administration and identify any adverse reactions. The study is observational and aims to enhance the safety profile of this medication in hospitalized patients.

This research aims to develop and test a practical model for remote eye care consultation using vision self-testing. It focuses on overcoming barriers faced by patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system when adopting remote consultations, especially issues related to technology trust and visual acuity assessments. The study is observational and involves collaboration between patients, the public, and NHS staff to create a sustainable and inclusive solution. The study uses an innovative approach with the DigiVis app for vision self-testing during remote consultations. It takes place in three diverse NHS eye departments and involves co-designing the implementation model with stakeholders. Patients are assigned to the remote consultation pathway by their clinicians. The model will be evaluated before, during, and after 14 months of operation, including questionnaires completed online by both patients and staff to assess their experiences and attitudes. Participants will complete online questionnaires before and after their remote consultation to measure their views on the e-health technology, while staff will complete surveys to assess how well the technology is integrated into routine practice. The main outcomes include changes in patient perceptions and staff normalization of the technology over 30 months. The study will also collect qualitative data from interviews and focus groups to understand challenges and support model improvements. The overall participation duration can last up to 30 months including follow-up assessments.

Researchers are studying the effects of two topical corticosteroid treatments, Hydrocortisone and Dexamethasone, in adults who wear ocular prostheses and experience significant discomfort from inflammatory secretions. This trial aims to determine the value of these anti-inflammatory treatments compared to a placebo in reducing symptoms and improving comfort for these patients. The study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial designed to provide controlled evidence for treatment effectiveness. Participants will receive three different treatments in a cross-over design: Hydrocortisone eye drops, Dexamethasone eye drops, and a tear substitute (Povidone) used as a placebo. Each treatment period lasts 14 days, separated by one-month wash-out phases. The treatments are administered as one drop four times a day. This design allows each participant to receive all treatments in sequence, helping compare their effects individually. During the study, participants will be evaluated at multiple time points before, during, and after each treatment phase. Researchers will use self-rating scales to measure secretion symptoms and assess conjunctival inflammation through clinical scores. They will also monitor secretion frequency, color, amount, and viscosity, as well as quality of life using a specific questionnaire adapted for prosthesis wearers. The total study duration per participant is about 3.5 months, including treatment and wash-out periods, with regular visits for assessments and monitoring.

Researchers are evaluating the management of pain and inflammation following vitreoretinal surgery using two different treatment approaches: a dexamethasone intracanalicular insert and standard topical steroid eye drops. The study focuses on patients 18 years and older undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for conditions like macular hole, epiretinal membrane removal, or vitreomacular traction. The goal is to compare how well these treatments control inflammation and pain after surgery. The study has two randomized groups. One group receives the DEXTENZA® dexamethasone insert placed into the lower eyelid canaliculus shortly after surgery, which releases steroid medication continuously for up to 30 days. The other group uses prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops four times daily for the first week after surgery. Both groups also receive standard topical antibiotic treatments. This study is conducted under a phase 4 design. Participants will be monitored for inflammation and pain at several time points: days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after surgery. Assessments include inflammation control, pain levels using a visual scale, eye imaging, visual acuity changes, and the need for additional treatments. Researchers will also track adverse events and methods of postoperative management like telephone or electronic follow-up. The total follow-up period extends to 21 days post-surgery to assess outcomes and safety.

Researchers are evaluating whether plain language summaries created by artificial intelligence can help adults better understand their eye doctor's notes. This study focuses on patients receiving eye care at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and aims to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers by making medical information clearer. The trial compares usual medical notes to notes supplemented with AI-generated summaries that explain complex eye care information in simple, everyday language. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives the standard ophthalmology notes alone, while the other group receives these notes plus an AI-generated plain language summary reviewed by an ophthalmologist for accuracy. The AI system operates securely within UCLA's network and uses a customized large language model to generate clear explanations of medical details. No data is sent outside the secure environment, ensuring participant privacy. During the study, participants complete surveys immediately after their clinic visit to assess how well they understood their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up plans. About one week later, they receive a follow-up phone call to further evaluate clarity and retention of information. Researchers also analyze patient comprehension scores and satisfaction, as well as time efficiency for ophthalmologists and other related outcomes. Data is securely stored and monitored throughout the trial, which is expected to last until June 2026.

Researchers are evaluating the natural history, causes, and outcomes of various eye diseases in this observational study conducted by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The study aims to better understand eye diseases, including how they are inherited, by examining individuals with diagnosed, undiagnosed, or suspected eye conditions as well as their first-degree relatives. The research seeks to collect clinical data and specimens to aid future studies and assess responses to standard treatments. Participants may have between 1 and 12 visits per year for up to 5 years, depending on their eye condition. Each visit lasts about 4 hours and may include medical and family history review, physical exams, eye exams with photography, and specialized tests such as oculography, electrooculography, electroretinography, and fluorescein angiography. Samples collected may include eye cell swabs, blood, skin, tear, urine, saliva, stool, or hair. Treatments like medications, eye drops, injections, laser therapy, or surgery may be provided as clinically indicated. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including eye imaging and functional testing with devices, laboratory tests, and possibly exams under anesthesia for some children. Researchers will monitor clinical outcomes based on standard care treatments without formal outcome measures. Participants' adherence and health status will be evaluated regularly through these visits to understand disease progression and treatment effects over time.

Researchers are evaluating the impact of regularly using Systane COMPLETE in patients with mixed dry eye who are planning to undergo cataract surgery. The study aims to see if this treatment can improve the accuracy of predicting residual astigmatism after surgery. Participants are adults aged 20 to 85 years with normal cognitive function who require cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Participants will use Systane COMPLETE eye drops, applying 1 to 2 drops four times daily in both eyes for 1 to 2 months before surgery. The study includes a screening visit 1 to 2 months before surgery where demographic information, preoperative assessments, and dry eye evaluations are performed. Measurements of the cornea will be taken using specialized devices to monitor the ocular surface and detect irregularities. Seven days before surgery, participants will have repeat eye exams and biometry measurements to guide lens selection. On surgery day, participants will undergo cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, and medication use will be monitored through returned bottles and diaries. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires such as the OSDI Dry Eye Questionnaire and undergo vision and corneal surface assessments. Measurements include biometry and corneal topography, as well as non-invasive tear break-up time tests. These evaluations will occur at screening and pre-operative visits to track changes in the ocular surface. Compliance with treatment will be checked at surgery. The study will last until the end of 2027, focusing on optimizing the ocular surface to improve surgical outcomes for dry eye patients undergoing cataract surgery.

This research focuses on patients with dry eye who are planning to have cataract surgery. It aims to compare corneal astigmatism data before and after using a specific artificial tear called Systane COMPLETE to see how it affects predicting changes in astigmatism after surgery. The study also looks at how using or not using this product influences dry eye symptoms measured by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores and Non-Invasive Tear Break-Up Time (NITBUT). Cataract surgery can worsen dry eye symptoms and impact measurements important for lens correction during surgery, which this study seeks to address. Participants are divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group uses Systane COMPLETE one month before cataract surgery and continues using it for one month starting one week after surgery. The control group meets the same age and dry eye criteria but does not receive any treatment. This extension study follows up on an earlier trial and adds a post-surgery period to assess the effects of Systane COMPLETE on eye measurements and dry eye symptoms. Participants will undergo assessments before and after surgery, including measurements of corneal astigmatism, refractive power, and biometry parameters. They will also complete questionnaires about dry eye symptoms (OSDI) and have their tear stability measured (NITBUT). The study monitors changes from before treatment to one to two months after using Systane COMPLETE. The total planned enrollment is 140 participants, with equal numbers in each group. Researchers aim to improve management of dry eye and astigmatism prediction in cataract surgery patients.