Heat Application to the eye Lids to enhance Ocular drug delivery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Feasibility study: The efficacy and safety of heat applied to the eyelids in enhancing the delivery of ocular hypotensive eye drops in the treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
IRAS ID
271825
Contact name
Safdar Alam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN22626706
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 3 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to investigate whether applying gentle heat to the eyelids of patients with Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in combination with pressure lowering drops can result in further decrease in eye pressures. Glaucoma is an eye disease, which leads to irreversible loss of vision caused by damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. It is often associated with raised fluid pressure in the eye and is treated mainly by drops that lower this pressure. Due to tearing and overspill only a small proportion enters the eye and therefore may not have a clinically significant difference on lowering the eye pressure and result in the need to use additional eye drops or progression to surgery.
As a result of this study, we hope that eye doctors will be able to determine whether the use of goggles that provide gentle heat to the eyelids when the eyes are closed will improve the effectiveness of the Glaucoma eye drops. The warming goggles have been used for many years as a treatment to unblock the oil glands that are present on the upper and lower eyelids and have an excellent safety record. If the results of the study show that using the heat goggles improves how well the drops work, then this could mean that patients will only require the minimum number of drops to treat their Glaucoma condition, as they will work more effectively. This will reduce the irritation to the eyes that is often associated with Glaucoma drops when more than one drop is required and improve ease of use, as a reduced number of products will be required.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EE/0261
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion