3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Does the use of chlorhexidine scrub prior to cutaneous surgery on the face increase the chances of toxicity to the eyes or ears? In addition, does the us eof chlorhexidine scrub on the face prior to cutaneous surgery decrease the chances of a post-operative wound infection?
Cystinosis is an inherited disease that results in poor growth and kidney disease, among other things. The damage to the kidneys and other organs is thought to be due to accumulation of cystine inside the cells of various body tissues. This chemical also accumulates in the cornea-the covering of the eye over the pupil and iris. After 10 to 20 years, the corneas of some patients become so packed with crystals that the surfaces may become irregular, occasionally causing small, painful breaks. Patients enrolled in a NIH study on cystinosis are receiving the drug cysteamine. Taken by mouth, this drug reduces cystine in some tissues, but not in the cornea. This study began in 1986 to test whether cysteamine eye drops could prevent or reduce corneal cystine crystals in these patients. The drops have been very effective in removing crystals and reducing pain in patients who take the medication as directed. Patients who do not take the medication as prescribed do not benefit. After the effectiveness of the drops was proven, the main purpose was modified to continue to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of cysteamine eye drops for treating cystine crystals in the corneas of patients with cystinosis until the drops are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When the New Drug Application (NDA) for the Sigma-Tau standard formulation is granted, this protocol will be terminated.
The main aim of the study is to determine the safety and feasibility of a cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell (CALEC) transplantation in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.