Can a steroid drop take the sting out of eye injections?

NCT ID NCT05542381

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a steroid eye drop (loteprednol) can reduce pain after intravitreal injections for age-related macular degeneration. 64 participants received either the steroid drop or artificial tears right after their injection. Pain was tracked by phone over a week. The goal is to find a simple way to improve comfort after these common eye procedures.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel (corticosteroid eye drop)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could give doctors a simple way to reduce pain after routine eye injections for macular degeneration.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study (64 people) comparing the steroid to artificial tears. The results may not apply to everyone, and steroids can raise eye pressure in some patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

age-related macular degeneration eye disorder macular degeneration retinal disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Vistar Eye Center

Roanoke, Virginia, 24019, United States

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