NCT02120079

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

The Utility of in Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM) to Assess Cellular Response and Efficacy of Long-term Topical Steroid Treatment in Patients With Dry Eye Disease (DED)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 37 (actual)
• Sponsor: Tufts Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 89 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Detailed description

IVCM is a non-invasive imaging technique that images the cornea at a cellular level with 800x magnification, using a scanning laser. The laser is used to map the cornea, and will not damage or harm the subject's eye. Studies have shown that IVCM can be used to study cells and nerves within the cornea, providing a better understanding of how the cornea reacts to irritants. IVCM has recently been used by the investigator to assess the extent of eye inflammation in cases of dry eye patients. Current steroid therapy in dry eye disease (DED) is comprised of a 2 week duration of pulse therapy, administered twice daily (to avoid adverse effects associated with long-term steroid use). This time frame is often too short to meaningfully resolve the inflammation associated with DED. DED often occurs when there is a decrease in the eye's tear production or if there is an increase in the evaporation of the tear film (a thin layer of tears that keep the eye moist). Eye irritation and inflammation (swelling) is often associated with DED because the surface of the eye is unable to maintain a normal level of moisture.

Conditions

• Dry Eye Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-02-01
• Primary completion: 2017-04-01
• Completion: 2018-01-28
• First posted: 2014-04-22
• Last updated: 2024-06-26
• Results posted: 2022-03-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States