Parasitic Keratitis: Do Steroid Eyedrops Help or Harm?
Official title: Parasitic Ulcer Treatment Trial
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11532328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized trial will test whether adding a low-dose corticosteroid eyedrops after standard anti-amoebic therapy improves vision for people with Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $6,442 |
| NIH project number | 3UG1EY033284-04S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with microbiologically confirmed Acanthamoeba keratitis who still show ocular inflammation after four weeks of anti-amoebic therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose inflammation has resolved after four weeks or who cannot tolerate corticosteroids may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have Acanthamoeba keratitis, this study at multiple centers will compare two aftercare options after four weeks of standard treatment: a corticosteroid eyedrop versus a placebo. The trial will monitor vision with specialized measurements and track how long it takes for the infection to calm and for the cornea to heal. Participants will continue the usual anti-amoebic therapy during the study. By enrolling, you contribute to evidence on whether steroids can safely improve outcomes for this eye infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify whether adding a steroid eye drop improves vision and speeds healing for Acanthamoeba keratitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored steroids in keratitis with mixed results; this trial provides a rigorous, multicenter evaluation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keenan, Jeremy David — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Keenan, Jeremy David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.