Envision a potentially new way to navigate pink eye

Amongst the many conditions that adults and parents of children will encounter, pink eye — or conjunctivitis — is high on the list of things … you don’t want to enter your home. Not only is it highly contagious, the itchy, oozing, all around unpleasantness causes discomfort and also leads to absences from school or work, not to mention needing to sanitize all surfaces so that others won’t get infected, too. Pink eye can take more than two weeks to clear up, which is why additional care options such as research studies, also known as clinical trials, are underway to help people navigate symptoms more smoothly. By acting at the first sign of symptoms and participating in a clinical trial, participants contribute valuable insight for doctors and researchers to better understand the landscape of this condition, and offer a more hopeful outlook for symptom management.

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How Clinical Trials Work

Thank you for your interest in learning more about pink eye clinical trials! Research organizations are diligently working on making breakthroughs in the study of this and many other ocular conditions.

HERE’S A LOOK AT WHAT A PINK EYE CLINICAL TRIAL MIGHT INVOLVE:

A principal investigator, or PI, is the physician in charge of the clinical trial, who is responsible for coordinating, managing and overseeing the clinical study. That individual carries out what is called a protocol.

Protocol is a document that describes how the trial is designed, and outlines how it should be carried out.

Clinical trials, also called research studies or clinical studies, can be either interventional, or non-interventional. Interventional studies mean that they test out an intervention, like a drug, procedure or medical device. Non-interventional studies, also called observational studies, don’t test potential treatments. Instead, researchers observe the participants over a period of time, and track health outcomes.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Here are the qualifications potential participants need to meet in order to join a clinical research study for pink eye:

Suspect you may have bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) with symptoms starting within the last 48 hours
Are experiencing symptoms such as green or yellow eye discharge, redness or stickiness
Have not received any eye treatment for conjunctivitis other than regular hygiene (i.e. wiping the eyelid) in the past two weeks
Have not used any steroid-based eye drops, cyclosporine drops, or taken antibiotics in the past two weeks
Are not blind or have vision only in one eye

Learn more about if you or your child may be eligible for participation in a pink eye clinical trial. Study treatment and care provided at no cost. Compensation for time and travel is provided.

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Clinical Trials Make A Difference

Participation in a clinical study provides valuable information that could eventually lead to a better treatment and — with the right breakthrough — to better outcomes. Take our short survey to see if you or your child may be a good fit. There is no obligation.

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UNDERSTANDING PINK EYE

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of a membrane that lines the eyeball and eyelid, called the conjunctiva. It can be caused by both viral and bacterial infections, allergies, or even a blocked tear duct in infants. It is marked by symptoms like the whites of the eye(s) appearing reddish or pink, the appearance of yellow or green discharge, and it is highly contagious. Pink eye symptoms can present in one or both eyes, depending on severity, and complications such as sensitivity to light or blurred vision may occur in some cases.^1.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Treatment of pink eye primarily involves symptom relief, as it can last as long as three weeks, in some cases. Some methods include:

Cleaning the affected eyelid(s) with a damp cloth
Applying a cold or warm compress periodically
Use of artificial tears
Antibiotics, if the cause is deemed to be bacterial
Antiviral medications, if the cause is deemed to be viral^2.

However, more recently, parents and caregivers have turned to clinical trials to shed more light on this condition, and how best to navigate it.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Investigational research on conjunctivitis, coupled with interventional measures and potentially new treatments could mean a whole new landscape for treating — and resolving — pink eye moving forward. Clinical trials play a key role in determining the efficacy of those treatments, and helping to get them to the people who need them.

6,000,000

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, affects between 3 and 6 million Americans each year. It is most prevalent in children aged 7 or younger.3.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the symptoms of pink eye, or conjunctivitis?

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, commonly presents with symptoms which include:^1.

Redness or a pink appearance in one or both eyes
Discharge that forms a crust, often preventing the eye(s) from opening
Feeling of grittiness, or that there’s something in the eye
Sensitivity to light (also called photophobia)
Excessive tearing in one or both eyes

1. Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355

Who may be a good candidate to participate in a pink eye clinical trial?

You may consider enrolling yourself or your child in a pink eye research study if you/they:

Suspect you may have bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) with symptoms starting within the last 48 hours
Have received a suspected diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis, or pink eye, within the last 48 hours
Are experiencing symptoms such as green or yellow eye discharge, redness or stickiness
Have not received any eye treatment for conjunctivitis other than regular hygiene (i.e. wiping the eyelid) in the past two weeks
Have not used any steroid-based eye drops, cyclosporine drops, or taken antibiotics in the past two weeks

What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial for pink eye?

The information gleaned from clinical studies may help identify new treatment options in the future for patients with conjunctivitis. Participants in pink eye clinical studies will have access to medical professionals who understand their situation and can help answer questions and address concerns from patients and/or their caregivers.

Are there any costs to participate in this study?

In almost all instances, there is no cost to participate in a clinical trial. Participants receive all study-related medical care and medications during the study at no cost. Likewise in many instances, patients may be reimbursed for study-related time and travel.

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