Could a common eye drop gel speed up wound healing?

NCT ID NCT03452072

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether applying timolol gel (a drug usually used for glaucoma) to small surgical wounds after skin cancer removal helps them heal faster and look better. Researchers compared timolol gel to plain Vaseline in 87 adults with wounds up to 1.5 cm. The main goal was to see if more wounds were fully healed by 30 days with timolol, and to check for any side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: timolol gel
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to speed up healing of small surgical wounds and improve scar appearance.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 87 participants. The effect may be modest, and timolol can cause side effects like skin irritation or, rarely, heart or lung issues.

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.

injury skin cancer Surgical Wound

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SURGICAL WOUND WOUND HEAL WOUND OF SKIN WOUND OPEN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States

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