Eye drop study reveals hidden link between bacteria and dry eye relief
NCT ID NCT06936462
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed study looked at how two types of eye drops—cyclosporine A and hyaluronic acid—change the community of bacteria living on the eye's surface in people with dry eye syndrome. Fifty adults were randomly assigned to receive either cyclosporine plus hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid alone for 12 weeks. Researchers collected eye surface samples and measured symptoms using standard questionnaires. The goal was to see if changes in the eye's microbiome relate to symptom improvement.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cyclosporine A and hyaluronic acid eye drops
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help explain how the eye's natural bacteria influence dry eye symptoms and point toward microbiome-based treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 50 participants and high dropout. Results may not apply to all dry eye patients, and the microbiome findings are exploratory.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2020
- Finished
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Jan 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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19 to 90 years
- 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: * patients aged 19 years or older * with symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Exclusion Criteria: * the use of topical ocular drops or systemic medication (such as systemic steroids, immunomodulators, and tetracyclines) that could influence study outcomes * the presence of conjunctivitis, anterior blepharitis, Demodex infestation, parasitic eye infections, unresolved ocular trauma, healing disorders of the ocular surface (OS), * a history of penetrating keratoplasty, contact lens use, or any ophthalmic surgical procedure within three months before baseline. * a single functional eye, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those at risk of pregnancy without contraception
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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
-
Hallym University, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital
Seoul, Seoul, 07441, South Korea
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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