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Ripasudil 0.4% Eye Drops in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy

Phase 2
Conditions
Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
Fuchs Dystrophy
Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss
Cornea Guttata
Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy
Interventions
Drug: Optive eye drops
Procedure: Descemetorhexis
Registration Number
NCT03575130
Lead Sponsor
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School
Brief Summary

The cornea forms our "window to the world". Hence, its transparency is of utmost importance for vision. Corneal endothelium plays a central role in the maintenance of a transparent corneal stroma. It limits stromal fluid uptake from the anterior chamber of the eye through the formation of tight junctions. Simultaneously, fluid is actively transported from corneal stroma into the anterior chamber. This maintains the corneal stroma in a state of relative dehydration, thereby ensuring a constant distance of stromal collagen lamellae to each other, which in turn forms the basis for transparency of this tissue. If however corneal endothelial function is impaired, stromal swelling leads to corneal clouding and loss of vision.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy represents the most common form of corneal dystrophy. It occurs sporadically, however in some cases autosomal dominant inheritance has been described. This condition leads to progressive loss of corneal endothelium (typically around the age of 50-60 years), causing visual impairment due to swelling and opacification of corneal stroma.

Cell culture experiments have been able to show that chemical inhibitors of Rho-Kinase promote corneal endothelial cell proliferation and reduce apoptosis, while topical application in an animal model promoted corneal endothelial wound healing. This has prompted the notion of using topical Rho-kinase-inhibitor treatment to support endothelial cell regeneration in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Since September 2014, Rho-kinase-inhibitor eye drops (ripasudil) are clinically available in Japan for reduction of intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients. Ripasudil eye drops therefore represent a strong candidate for safe and effective adjunctive treatment in patients with Fuchs corneal endothelial cell dystrophy.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
21
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Written informed consent obtained from the subject
  2. Understanding of study procedures and willingness to abide by all procedures during the course of the study.
  3. Age range: 18-70 years
  4. Diagnosis of moderate to advanced FECD with central guttae and clinical relevant corneal endothelial cell loss of <1,000 cells/mm2 and clinical indication of surgical intervention (descemetorhexis) with or without accompanying cataract operation
  5. Reduced visual acuity, defined as BCVA <20/30
  6. Woman of childbearing potential must be using a highly effective method of birth control.
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
GlanatecRipasudil eye drops-
GlanatecDescemetorhexis-
PlaceboOptive eye drops-
PlaceboDescemetorhexis-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The occurrence of serious adverse reaction within the observation period of 3 months after descemetorhexis.3 Months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
rate of adverse event, adverse reaction, serious adverse event, serious adverse reaction and suspected unexpected serious adverse reactionwithin the observation period of 6 months
effect of ripasudil on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD)within the observation period of 6 months
effect of ripasudil on corneal thicknesswithin the observation period of 6 months
effect of on visual acuity (BCVA)within the observation period of 6 months
effect of ripasudil on contrast sensitivitywithin the observation period of 6 months
assess the need of rescue therapy (DMEK)within the observation period of 6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg

🇩🇪

Erlangen, Germany

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