Phoenix Dry Eye Syndrome Clinical Trial

September 2014

By Tariq Qamar MD

Do you have dry, uncomfortable eyes with symptoms such as grittiness, burning and stinging or blurred vision?

Have you tried lubricating eye drops, eye ointments, punctal plugs or perhaps even Restasis® without relief?

If so, then I am very excited to tell you that we are participating in a clinical trial of an investigational drug called EBI-005.  It is what is known as an interleukin-1 receptor inhibitor, and it is being applied topically to the eye to determine if it has a benefit in people with dry eye.

EBI-005 has been tested in 90 people prior to this study to understand the effects of topical administration to the eye.  EBI-005 was well tolerated.  In one study where EBI-005 was given to people three times a day as an eye drop to each eye for 6 weeks, there was improvement in the symptoms of dry eye.

Because of these results, a much larger study that involves approximately 730 people with moderate to severe dry eye is being conducted to better understand the effects, in terms of safety and the effect on dry eye, of topical administration of EBI-005 compared to a placebo-control.  EBI-005 or the placebo will be given as one drop to each eye three times a day for 12 weeks in the study.

The study is called a randomized and masked study so you will not know if you are receiving EBI-005 or the placebo-control.  You have a 50:50 chance of receiving EBI-005.

The study is being conducted at over 40 centers in the United States.  Q Vision has been selected as one of the clinical trial centers.  Only my Mesa office will be participating, so you must be willing to be seen in Mesa.

There is no guarantee that you will benefit from the administration of EBI-005.  Your participation is voluntary and you will be reimbursed up to $480 for your time and travel.  The study medication will be provided to you at no charge along with the required study health assessments.

If you would like to find out if you qualify for the study, please contact our study coordinators at 480-999-5458.

We expect this study to fill quickly, so please call right away if you are interested.