Eye drop may prevent eyelash regrowth after trachoma surgery
NCT ID NCT04149210
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a steroid eye drop (fluorometholone) given for four weeks after trachoma surgery could stop eyelashes from growing back and rubbing against the eye. Over 2,400 people aged 15 and older took part. The goal was to see if this simple, low-cost addition to surgery is safe and effective enough for widespread use in trachoma programs.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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2,410 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2021
- Finished
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Nov 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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15 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 15 years or more, corresponding to the age of patients treated in the Fred Hollows Foundation/Federal Ministry of Health Program at field sites without general anesthesia. 2. One or both eyes with upper lid trachomatous trichiasis-with one or more eyelashes touching the eye or evidence of epilation, with a plan to undergo TT surgery on at least one upper eyelid. 3. Collection of all baseline data prior to randomization 4. Signed, informed consent (and assent, when applicable) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Contraindication(s) to the use of the test articles, including a known allergy or sensitivity to the study medication (fluorometholone) or its components, and contraindication(s) to use of azithromycin 2. IOP≥22 mmHg and/or currently taking more than two ocular anti-hypertensive medications in the study eye (prior IOP-lowering surgery is acceptable; combinations of two IOP-lowering agents such as Dorzamol are considered two medications) 3. A known severe / serious ocular pathology or medical condition which may preclude study completion or increase the risk of harm in the study (e.g., suspicion of non-trachomatous active ocular infection or suspicion of glaucoma of a degree to which where an intraocular pressure spike would be vision-threatening). 4. Any condition known to be present at baseline for which it is anticipated ocular or systemic corticosteroid therapy will be required. 5. Any significant illness or condition (e.g., hypertension with systolic blood pressure≥170 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥110 mmHg) that could, in the study team's opinion, be expected to interfere with the study parameters or study conduct; or put the subject at significant risk. 6. Previous upper lid TT surgery on all eyes with upper lid TT. (If one eye has previously undergone upper lid TT surgery but another eye with upper lid TT has not, the patient may be enrolled, and only the latter eye will be counted for the primary analyses).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Oromia Health Bureau
Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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