Category Archives: adults aged 18+

Dry Eye Study (Study ID: PLUM)

Dry eye symptoms are commonplace. Dry eye is often managed with lubricating eye drops, stopping tears from draining or by stimulating tear production. Recently, there has been a shift toward focusing on nutrition for dry eye, especially with regard to oral antioxidants for relieving dry eye symptoms. This study will investigate the effectiveness of an oral supplement in form of a gummy bear containing blueberry powder.

The study consists of 3 in-office study appointments and 2 telephone calls, totaling 4.5 hours over 4 weeks.

What are the requirements?

  • You are at least 18 years of age.
  • You have dry eyes
  • You have not worn any contact lenses in the past 3 months
  • You have not used an oral supplement containing antioxidants in the past 3 months

Reimbursement

In appreciation of your time, you will receive $20 per hour you are involved in the study (up to $90). All study products will also be provided, and parking tokens are available for those who drive to their visits.

How to participate

If you are interested in participating, please email corestudies@uwaterloo.ca with the subject line “PLUM” or call 519-888-4742 for more information. You will be provided with all relevant study information prior to study enrollment and you are under no obligation to participate.

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I am already registered with CORE and would like to participate

Recruiting for a new contact lens study! Study code: COLLIE

What are we trying to learn?

Xiidra (lifitegrast 5.0% ophthalmic solution) is a Health Canada approved eye drop that has been shown to be effective in relieving dryness symptoms in individuals with dry eye disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in comfort and dryness in contact lens wearers after using Xiidra for 12 weeks.

About the study

If eligible, you will be asked to follow the study instructions and attend the following visits.

• Visit 1 – Screening to determine eligibility – 0.75 hour
• Visit 2 – Baseline measurements and dispense eye drops – 1 hour
• Visit 3 – 2-week follow-up visit– 1 hour
• Visit 4 – 6-week follow-up visit– 1 hour
• Visit 5 – 12-week follow-up visit– 1 hour
Total time commitment – 4.75 hours
The visits will include standard clinical procedures that you might encounter when you attend an eye exam.

What are the requirements?

• You are 18 years or older
• You have worn soft contact lenses for a minimum of 5 days/week for 6 hours/day over the past month (and are willing to continue to do so)
• You experience discomfort (e.g. dryness) when wearing your contact lenses

Reimbursement

In appreciation of your time you will receive $95 upon study completion. Parking passes will be provided as required.

How to participate

If you are interested in participating, please complete and return the attached questionnaire to corestudies@uwaterloo.ca and write the study ID, “COLLIE”, as the email title. If you have questions or would like more details, please call 519-888-4742. You will be provided with all relevant study information prior to study enrollment and you are under no obligation to participate.

Safety during COVID-19

We want to let you know that we have revised several of our protocols to keep participants and researchers safe during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning and mandatory wearing of masks by everyone. Measures we have taken to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 are explained in the attached “Information Letter: COVID-19 Risks for In-Person Research Study Visits” which we will ask you to sign in the event you participate. Please note that you will be within 2m (6 feet) of the researcher during some or most of the study visit time. At all times, the furthest possible distance will be maintained. Please note, if you are aged 60 and above, you are considered at a greater risk for severe illness from the COVID-19 virus.

Create a volunteer profile here
I am already registered with CORE and would like to participate