Slow-release anesthetic contact lens for corneal pain
Anesthetic-Eluting Contact Lens for Corneal Pain
A soft bandage contact lens that slowly releases a local anesthetic to ease sudden corneal pain after injury or eye surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Schepens Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325779 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be using a bandage contact lens that has a thin drug-polymer film built into its edge to steadily release the anesthetic tetracaine over time. The goal is to give longer-lasting pain relief than eye drops and reduce the need for oral opioids. Early animal tests showed up to 30 hours of reduced pain without harming wound healing. The project will optimize the lens design, map drug distribution, check safety and biocompatibility, and prepare for a first-in-human trial.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute corneal pain from injury or recent eye surgery who are candidates for wearing a bandage contact lens.
Not a fit: People who cannot wear contact lenses, have known allergy to local anesthetics, active corneal infection, or certain chronic corneal diseases may not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer safe, long-lasting local pain relief after corneal injury or surgery and reduce reliance on oral opioids.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel approach for patient use: animal studies have shown promising pain reduction, but there are currently no FDA‑approved self-administered ocular anesthetics.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Schepens Eye Research Institute — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ciolino, Joseph B. — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ciolino, Joseph B.
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 below.