Category Archives: dry eye study

SEAHORSE: Specialty contact lens study for dry eye

The objective of this study is to determine if specialty contact lenses with and without a “HydraPEG” lens coating can improve symptoms of dry eye. These specialty scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye (sclera). Due to their design and fitting, they can help relieve ocular discomfort and dryness in dry eye patients. For this study we are looking for symptomatic soft lens wearers and non-lens wearers to be fit with these lenses.

Both dry eye and non-dry eye participants are being recruited as part of this study. Participants in the non-dry eye group are being invited to join a control group of people without dry eye. Participants in the non-dry eye group will be selected based on their age and biological sex to match a corresponding participant in the dry eye group.

About the study

This study involves at least 6 in-office visits.  The visits are:

  • Visit 1 – Screening visit to determine eligibility 2hr 30min
  • Visit 2 – Dispense study lens type #1 and lens training 2hr 30min
  • Visit 3 – 2-week follow up of study lens type #1 1hr
  • Visit 4 – 1-month follow up of study lens type #1 and dispense study lens type #1 2hr
  • Visit 5 – 2-week follow up of study lens type #2 1hr
  • Visit 6 – 1-month follow up of study lens type #2 and study exit 1hr 30min

Total in-office visit time commitment – estimated 10.5 hours

There are some questionnaires to be completed between study visits, estimated time commitment of 1 hour spread across the study period.

The visits will include standard clinical procedures that you might encounter when you attend an eye exam.

Participant requirements

  • Age: At least 18 years old and have full legal capacity to volunteer
  • Experiences symptoms of dry eye (symptomatic)
  • In good ocular and general health and a full eye exam conducted in the last 2 years
  • Have a prescription of sphere between +20.00 and -20.00D AND astigmatism up to -3.00DC in each eye
  • Anticipate being able to wear the study lenses for at least 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for the duration of the study

Reimbursement

In appreciation of your time, you will receive $230 for completing 6 in-office, plus an additional $20 per hours if a lens modification is needed. All study contact lenses and solutions will be provided at no cost. If applicable, parking tokens will be provided.

How to participate

If you have questions about this study or would like more information, please call us on 519-888-4742 or email us at corestudies@uwaterloo.ca and mention the study name SEAHORSE.

If you are interested in participating, please create a volunteer profile at the link below and we will contact you with more information.  If you are already a registered CORE volunteer, please contact us using the link below and mention the study name SEAHORSE.

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

All studies conducted at CORE have been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board.

COLLIE: Contact lens comfort study

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