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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1 / Phase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Therapeutic Contact Lens Drug Delivery System (TCL-DDS) in Patients With Recurrent Cystoid Macular Edema

Randomized, Prospective, Vehicle-Controlled, Phase I/II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Feasibility of a Therapeutic Contact Lens Drug Delivery System (TCL-DDS) in Patients With Recurrent Cystoid Macular Edema

Therapeutic Contact Lens Drug Delivery System (TCL-DDS) in Patients With Recurrent Cystoid Macular Edema (NCT04225611) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Cystoid Macular Edema, sponsored by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The main aim of the pilot study is to determine preliminary estimates of the safety, tolerability, and comfort of a dexamethasone-eluting therapeutic contact lens drug delivery system (TCL-DDS) for the treatment of recurrent cystoid macular edema. Secondarily, feasibility of the TCL-DDS system will be investigated. 1. Safety: To establish that a topical dexamethasone delivery system has an acceptable safety profile by determining the incidence and severity of ocular adverse events, as identified by eye examination through day 28 following treatment initiation. 2. Comfort and tolerability: to establish the subject tolerability and comfort of the TCL-DDS. 3. Feasibility: To establish- that a topical dexamethasone delivery system is a feasible treatment for recurrent cystoid macular edema.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Cystoid Macular Edema, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 6 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Inclusion Criteria Adults between the ages of 18 and 85 Willingness to participate in the study and provide willing to sign a consent form For Phase A, patients who only respond to anti-inflammatory drops (not at the intravitreal steroid injection phase of care yet). For Phase B, patients who only respond to steroid intravitreal injections (anti-inflammatory drops are no longer therapeutically working for these patients). Corneal thickness between 480 and 620 µm in the study eye by anterior segment OCT. Diagnosis of cystoid macular edema in the study eye defined as macular edema involving the center of the macula (fovea) with one or more of the following OCT characteristics: retinal cysts, retinal thickening, and/ or subretinal fluid. Visual acuity between 20/400 and 20/25 in the study eye, measured by pinhole VA. Retinal thickness above 300 µm as measured by OCT in the 1mm central macular subfield of the study eye at screening as determined by the investigator History of positive response to topical or intraocular steroid treatment defined as 50 µm thinning in response to steroid treatment in the study eye within 1 year Recurrence of cystoid macular edema in the study eye Patients who have received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the study eye must satisfy the following: The most recent dose was at least 8 weeks prior to screening No treatment-related adverse event was seen that, in the opinion of the investigator, has the potential to worsen or reoccur with study treatment. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at the enrollment (day 0) visit (repeat at day 0 if greater than 14 days past Screening Visit) Aphakia or pseudophakia in the study eye Exclusion Criteria ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria Adults between the ages of 18 and 85 Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent For Phase A, patients who only respond to anti-inflammatory drops (not at the intravitreal steroid injection phase of care yet). For Phase B, patients who only respond to steroid intravitreal injections (anti-inflammatory drops are no longer therapeutically working for these patients). Corneal thickness between 480 and 620 µm in the study eye by anterior segment OCT. Diagnosis of cystoid macular edema in the study eye defined as macular edema involving the center of the macula (fovea) with one or more of the following OCT characteristics: retinal cysts, retinal thickening, and/ or subretinal fluid. Visual acuity between 20/400 and 20/25 in the study eye, measured by pinhole VA. Retinal thickness above 300 µm as measured by OCT in the 1mm central macular subfield of the study eye at screening as determined by the investigator History of positive response to topical or intraocular steroid treatment defined as 50 µm thinning in response to steroid treatment in the study eye within 1 year Recurrence of cystoid macular edema in the study eye Patients who have received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the study eye must satisfy the following: The most recent dose was at least 8 weeks prior to screening No treatment-related adverse event was seen that, in the opinion of the investigator, has the potential to worsen or reoccur with study treatment. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at the enrollment (day 0) visit (repeat at day 0 if greater than 14 days past Screening Visit) Aphakia or pseudophakia in the study eye Exclusion Criteria Systemic Renal failure requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis within 6 months prior to screening Use of systemic steroids (e.g., oral, intravenous, intra-articular, epidural, intrabursal, inhaled, or intranasal) within 1 month prior to the qualification/baseline visit or anticipated use at any time during the study Use of oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor within 1 month of screening Use of immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, antimetabolites and/or alkylating agents within 6 months prior to screening or anticipated use at any time during the study Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the study medication or its components Medical history positive for HIV Any condition (including inability to read visual acuity charts or language barrier) which precludes patient's ability to comply with study requirements including completion of the study Female patients who are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy, or who are of childbearing potential and not using a reliable means of contraception Participation in an investigational drug or device study within the 30 days prior to screening Patient has a condition or is in a situation which, in the Investigator's opinion, may put the patient at significant risk, may confound the study results, or may interfere significantly with the patient's participation in the study Both Eyes Contraindication to pupil dilation in either eye Any active ocular infection (i.e., bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal) in either eye at screening History of central serous chorioretinopathy in either eye History of IOP elevation in response to steroid treatment in either eye that resulted in any of the following: ≥ 10 mm Hg increase in IOP from screening visit with an absolute IOP ≥ 25 mm Hg required therapy with 3 or more anti-glaucoma medications History of failure to respond positively to a periocular or intravitreal steroid injection in either eye. Study Eye \[This exclusion has been removed.\] Any ocular condition in the study eye that in the opinion of the investigator would prevent a 15-letter improvement in visual acuity (e.g., fibrosis, retinal atrophy, severe macular ischemia, extensive macular laser scarring or atrophy) Any ocular condition in the study eye that in the opinion of the investigator would prevent the eye from wearing a contact lens (e.g., ectropion, lid abnormality, or symblepharon) Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops (NSAID) or steroid drops within 1 month prior to screening Presence of any other condition in the study eye severe enough to prevent improvement in visual acuity despite reduction in macular edema History of advanced glaucoma / optic nerve head change consistent with glaucoma damage, and/or advanced glaucomatous visual field loss in the study eye Ocular hypertension in the study eye at screening visit determined by the following: IOP \> 25 mm Hg if taking no anti-glaucoma medications Active optic disc or retinal neovascularization in the study eye at screening Active or history of choroidal neovascularization in the study eye Presence of rubeosis iridis in the study eye at screening History of herpetic infection in the study eye or adnexa Media opacity in the study eye at screening that precludes clinical and photographic evaluation (including but not limited to preretinal or vitreous hemorrhage, lens opacity) Intraocular surgery, including cataract surgery, and/or laser of any type in the study eye within 30 days prior to screening History of pars plana vitrectomy in the study eye within 3 months prior to screening History of use of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab or pegaptanib in the study eye within 3 months prior to screening Treated with intravitreal injections of dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex®) within 6 months of screening History of use of any intravitreal agent in the study eye other than corticosteroid, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or pegaptanib, or intravitreal doses of triamcinolone acetonide \> 4mg, bevacizumab \> 1.25 mg, ranibizumab \> 0.5 mg, or pegaptanib \> 0.3 mg within 3 months prior to screening. Except at the time of surgery, any periocular depot of steroids to the study eye within 3 months prior to screening Inability to comfortably wear a commercial contact lens (Kontur) that has the same dimensions as the TCL-DDS during a 1 hour run-in period Presence of guttae or descemet's folds in the study eye. Corneal neovascularization with presence of blood vessels 2 mm into the cornea. Non-study Eye Pinhole score \<19 letters in the non-study eye at screening visit.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Dexamethasone

The investigators have developed a topically-applied corticosteroid-delivery system that has the potential to treat recurrent cystoid macular edema with fewer risks to patient, and more dose control. The system is comprised of a drug-polymer film that is completely encapsulated within the periphery of a hydrogel that is commonly used to make contact lenses.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

MEEI
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04225611), the sponsor (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04225611 clinical trial studying?

The main aim of the pilot study is to determine preliminary estimates of the safety, tolerability, and comfort of a dexamethasone-eluting therapeutic contact lens drug delivery system (TCL-DDS) for the treatment of recurrent cystoid macular edema. Secondarily, feasibility of the TCL-DDS system will be investigated. 1. Safety: To establish that a topical dexamethasone delivery system has an acceptable safety profile by determining the incidence and severity of ocular adverse events, as identified by eye examination through day 28 following treatment initiation. 2. Comfort and tolerability: to … The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04225611?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04225611?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04225611. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04225611. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.