Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Natamycin plus cyclosporine eye drops for fungal corneal ulcers

Official title: Fungal Ulcer Treatment Augmented With Natamycin and Cyclosporine A

Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT06658002 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This test tries adding cyclosporine eye drops to standard natamycin drops to see if people with fungal corneal ulcers get better vision.

More Corneal Ulcer trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment150 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (San Francisco, California and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 1, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 1, 2027
Study endsSeptember 1, 2027
Registry record updatedJune 5, 2026
Trial IDNCT06658002 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (≥18) with smear- or culture-positive fungal keratitis and presenting visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/400 who can attend follow-up visits are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with corneal perforation, mixed bacterial or viral co-infection, those already taking cyclosporine, pregnant women, or those needing immediate keratoplasty are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, masked trial enrolls adults with smear- or culture-confirmed fungal keratitis who start standard topical natamycin for at least 48 hours. Participants are randomized 1:1:1 to receive topical cyclosporine A 0.1%, cyclosporine A 2%, or placebo for four weeks while continuing natamycin until the ulcer resolves. The primary outcome is best corrected visual acuity at three months, and investigators will analyze which ulcer features predict the most benefit. The trial is conducted at UCSF in partnership with Aravind Eye Hospital in India to enroll patients where fungal ulcers are common.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding cyclosporine could improve three-month vision outcomes and reduce scarring from fungal corneal ulcers.

How similar studies have gone: There is limited prior evidence from small studies and case reports suggesting topical cyclosporine might help, but no definitive large trials have proven benefit.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Inclusion is based on presenting acuity, not ulcer size.
* Inclusion of 20/40 = 6/12 = 0.3 Log MAR and 20/400 = 3/60 = +1.3 Log MAR.
* Smear or culture positive for fungal keratitis, any length.
* Age 18 years.
* Willing to participate in study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Co-infection with bacterial or viral keratitis.
* Corneal perforation.
* Requiring therapeutic keratoplasty for fungal keratitis.
* Unwilling or unable to follow up (e.g., living too far from hospital).
* Presenting acuity better than 20/40 = 6/12 = 0.3 Log MAR or worse than 20/400 = 3/60 = +1.3 Log MAR.
* Subjects taking cyclosporine at any concentration on presentation.
* Acuity worse than 20/200 = 6/60 = +1.0 Log MAR in unaffected eye.
* Pregnant women.
* Penetrating Keratoplasty.
* Presents with a 0-7 day history of topical steroid.

Where it's running

  • Aravind Eye Institute
    Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India
    Recruiting
  • University of California, San Farncisco
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.