Actively Recruiting
Effect of Descemet Membrane Polishing in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Led by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · Updated on 2026-05-26
20
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading reason for corneal transplantation worldwide. It causes guttae buildup and loss of corneal endothelial cells, resulting in corneal swelling and vision problems. Researchers are evaluating whether removing the damaged endothelial layer before injecting healthy cultured cells improves cell attachment and treatment outcomes, as current clinical data are limited and sometimes conflicting, especially regarding a procedure called endothelial polishing. The study involves a procedure called Fuchs polishing, where one half of the damaged endothelium is polished away before being replaced with healthy donor cells during corneal transplantation. This approach aims to assess the effectiveness of polishing in removing guttae and supporting the survival of injected cells. The excised tissue will be analyzed in the laboratory to understand the changes. Participants will have one follow-up visit on the day of surgery. Researchers will measure how guttae numbers and height progress after surgery, comparing areas treated with and without polishing. They will also assess the removal of corneal endothelial cells. This study is led by the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne and involves monitoring outcomes at one month after surgery.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Descemet Membrane Polishing in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patient affiliated with or entitled to a social security scheme
- Patient scheduled for endothelial keratoplasty for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
- Patient having received full information and having provided written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant women
- Adults under legal protection (guardianship/curatorship) or unable to provide informed consent
AI-Screening
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Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Single day
Participants undergo corneal transplantation surgery where polishing of one half of the pathological endothelium is performed prior to its removal and replacement with healthy donor endothelium (Fuchs polishing).
1 surgery and follow-up visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 5 locations
1
CHU de Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne, France, France, 42055
Actively Recruiting
2
Hopital de Mercy
Metz, Metz, France, 57085
Not Yet Recruiting
3
Cochin Hospital
Paris, Paris, France, 75014
Not Yet Recruiting
4
Hôpital Fondation Rothschild
Paris, Paris, France, 75019
Not Yet Recruiting
5
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen
Rouen, Rouen, France, 76000
Not Yet Recruiting
Research Team
G
Gilles THURET, MD PhD
C
Clara Pfenninger, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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