Preventing vision loss after retinal detachment surgery with methotrexate

Prevention of ProliFerative Vitreoretinopathy with Intravitreal MethotreXate in Primary Retinal DEtachment Repair (FIXER) Trial

Phase 2 Interventional Cincinnati Eye Institute, Southwest Ohio · NCT06541574

This study is testing if a medication called methotrexate can help prevent vision loss from complications after retinal detachment surgery in adults.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment860 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCincinnati Eye Institute, Southwest Ohio Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsmethotrexate
Locations1 site (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT06541574 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of intravitreal methotrexate in preventing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) following primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. The study involves adult patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy at the Cincinnati Eye Institute, where they will receive either methotrexate or a sham injection. Data will be collected on various risk factors and surgical details to assess the outcomes related to PVR formation. The goal is to determine if methotrexate can reduce the incidence of PVR, which complicates retinal detachment surgeries.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older undergoing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of significant eye trauma or previous retinal detachment repairs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce the risk of vision loss due to PVR after retinal detachment surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of methotrexate in this context is novel, similar approaches in other studies have shown promise in managing PVR.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

• Any adult patient, age \> 18 years-old, undergoing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery with pars plana vitrectomy at the Cincinnati Eye Institute in Blue Ash, Ohio who is able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \<18 years-old
* Pregnant patients or patients of child bearing potential unwilling to utilize long term contraception for the 12-week period spanning vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment repair up until the 3 month postoperative visit.
* History of endophthalmitis, ruptured globe or significant trauma in the affected eye
* Chronic retinal detachment (symptoms \> six weeks)
* Any previous previous retinal detachment repair with pars plana vitrectomy, or scleral buckling surgery. Patients having undergone previous pneumatic retinopexy will not be excluded.
* Presence of Grade C PVR: full thickness retinal folds or subretinal bands
* Patients with contraindications to methotrexate, including breastfeeding, pregnancy, attempting to conceive a child or any known hypersensitivity or intolerance to methotrexate
* Patients with diminished mental capacity precluding their ability to give informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Cincinnati, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Proliferative VitreoretinopathyRhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.