Department News

Eye Center participates in national trial of novel treatment for uveitis

The University of Illinois Eye Center has been selected as one of 22 centers nationwide to participate in a federally funded clinical trial that will compare the efficacy of standardized treatments for uveitis to a recently FDA approved implant. The Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial is sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Debra Goldstein, MD, serves as principal investigator for the UIC component of the study.

Goldstein conducted a similar trial, funded by Bausch and Lomb Pharmaceuticals, in 2003.

Uveitis is an inflammation inside the eye that, if left untreated, can impair vision. Medicines such as corticosteroid eye drops and injections given near or directly into the eye are often used to decrease the inflammation and prevent vision loss. For severe, recurring uveitis, the standard treatment has been oral corticosteroids, which run the risk of serious side affects.

The MUST research trial will investigate if a new treatment is safer and more effective. The study will compare the new corticosteroid implant with established oral corticosteroids. Both treatments are known to be effective for treating uveitis, and neither treatment is considered experimental.

Participants in the trial will be patients with vision-threatening, non-infectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis or panuveitis. Recruitment of patients is underway.

To refer a patient or join the study, call 312-996-4747.