Parasitic Ulcer Treatment Trial (PUTT)

About the Study

Acanthamoeba corneal infections are difficult to treat and often require eyedrops for 6–12 months or longer. There is no clear consensus on the best treatment approach.Some doctors believe steroid eyedrops may help reduce inflammation and improve vision, while others worry steroids might prolong the infection. This study aims to find out whether steroid eyedrops are safe and effective when used to treat acanthamoeba infections.

What's Involved

  Eligibility Criteria

• Age 8 years or older, except for 16 years or older in the UK
• Diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) confirmed by lab testing or confocal microscopy
• Ocular inflammation after 1 month of anti-amoeba treatment

   Cannot join if you have:

• Herpetic or fungal keratitis
• Corneal perforation or prior corneal transplant for AK
• No light perception vision in the affected eye
• Allergy or hypertensive reaction to corticosteroids
• Currently taking systemic corticosteroids

   A study doctor will confirm eligibility during screening.

  Required Visits and Procedures

• You will use an eyedrop for acanthamoeba for 1 month.
• After that, if still eligible, you’ll be randomized (like a coin flip) to receive either a steroid eyedrop or a lubricating eyedrop.
• You’ll take this study eyedrop for 2 months while continuing the anti-amoebic eyedrop.
• Follow-up visits: 1 month, 6 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
• Each visit lasts about 2 hours and includes eye imaging and vision testing.

  Possible Benefits

• Free anti-amoeba medication (normally not covered by insurance)
• Access to an effective eyedrop, not yet available in the U.S.
• Close monitoring with advanced imaging by experienced ophthalmologists
• Helping future patients by contributing to better treatment research

Learn More

📄 View the Patient Information Sheet (PDF)
🔗 View study details on ClinicalTrials.gov

 Contact the UCSF Study Team

  For more information, contact your nearest enrollment center or the coordinating center (UCSF).

     Dr. Jeremy Keenan, MD MPH
     UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, Proctor Foundation
     📧 [email protected]
     ☎️ (415) 476-6323

     Dr. Gerami Seitzman, MD
     UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, Proctor Foundation
     📧 [email protected]
     ☎️ (415) 476-1442