AzTrials
AzTrials

CataractPhase 4NCT05157113

Evaluating a Dropless Postoperative Regimen After Cataract Surgery in a Vulnerable, County-hospital Population

A Phase 4 study testing Dropless Regimen and Standard Regimen in people with Cataract and Surgery, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The current postoperative cataract surgery eye drop regimen used at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) is a significant burden for its patient population, contributing to high rates of non-adherence and the development of postoperative complications. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Cataract, Surgery, Compliance, Patient
What is being tested?
Dropless Regimen and Standard Regimen
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
70 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
31 May 2022to 1 Jun 2027
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • ZSFG patient initially seen in the eye clinic, approved by attending ophthalmologist for cataract surgery in both eyes due to visually significant cataracts, and who elects to have cataract surgery in both eyes.
  • Patients 18 years of age or older

Who cannot join

  • Patients requiring bilateral simultaneous (same-day bilateral) cataract surgery
  • Patients with prior history of: endophthalmitis, advanced glaucoma, known history of intraocular pressure elevation due to steroids, prior intraocular surgery, cystoid macular edema/diabetic macular edema/retinal edema noted in the past 12 months prior to cataract surgery
  • Patients with documented penicillin or cephalosporin allergy or intolerance
  • Patients requiring combined same day cataract and ophthalmic subspecialty procedure (eg; combined cataract and glaucoma, retina, or cornea surgery).
  • Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Sriranjani Padmanabhan, MD contact

415-514-0241

sriranjani.padmanabhan@ucsf.edu

Nicole Xin, BA contact

628-206-3123

nicole.xin@ucsf.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG)

    San Francisco, California, 94110

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Evaluating the Efficacy, Compliance, and Patient Satisfaction of a New Dropless Postoperative Regimen After Cataract Surgery in a Vulnerable, County-hospital Population

The current postoperative cataract surgery eye drop regimen used at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) is a significant burden for its patient population, contributing to high rates of non-adherence and the development of postoperative complications. The investigators propose to replace this complex regimen with a single administration of intraocular antibiotic and subconjunctival steroid at the time of surgery. This pilot study will obtain the preliminary data required to eventually fully evaluate this innovation in postoperative care in a safety-net population with respect to postoperative outcomes, patient compliance, and patient and caregiver satisfaction.

Read the detailed description

Frequent postoperative drop usage is a burden for vulnerable or indigent patients, who face significant barriers in maintaining standard postoperative regimens, contributing to higher rates of postoperative drop noncompliance and complications. Currently, patients undergoing cataract surgery at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, a safety-net county hospital, are started on a standard regimen of several different eye drops as part of routine postoperative recovery from cataract surgery and prophylaxis against the most troubling known postsurgical complications: endophthalmitis (devastating intraocular infection) and cystoid macular edema (CME; fluid collections in the retina causing distortion of visual acuity). On an internal review of clinic data, approximately 40% of patients undergoing cataract surgery at ZSFG are non-adherent or only partially adherent with postoperative eye drops due to a variety of causes, including difficulty instilling drops, remembering or understanding the drop regimen, and keeping physical track of multiple bottles without losing them or having them stolen. As the prevalence of comorbid ocular pathologies requiring separate chronic drop therapy (such as glaucoma) is high in this population, these difficulties are compounded with increasing numbers of eye drops and high frequency and complexity of the drop regimens. Together, these challenges have led to a frustrating rate of postoperative complications in this clinic population, particularly the rate of CME, which is approximately twice the national rate. Identifying a postoperative regimen that is feasible for surgeons, convenient for patients, and effective in preventing postoperative complications is therefore imperative particularly for this vulnerable cohort.

Recent retrospective studies suggest that single injections of cefuroxime and triamcinolone acetonide within the eye at the time of surgery is safe and noninferior to standard drop regimens in preventing postoperative complications among non-indigent patients. The investigators hypothesize that this dropless regimen would have several important benefits in this cohort of vulnerable patients: increases in patient and caregiver satisfaction, improvements in adherence with other treatment plans within the first postoperative month when not burdened with postoperative drops, and a more desirable overall cost effectiveness for all payers. The investigators further estimate that the regimen may actually be superior to the standard regimen in preventing postoperative complications in this population, given the high rate of patient non-adherence to the standard postoperative care. By employing a prospective, crossover design randomizing the eyes of patients requiring bilateral sequential cataract surgery to either the standard drop regimen or the dropless technique and following the outcomes through the first postoperative month, the investigators aim to demonstrate a significant improvement in patient and caregiver satisfaction, and adherence to all medications during the postoperative period of patients receiving the dropless regimen as compared to patients receiving the standard regimen. Additionally, in this initial small pilot, the investigators anticipate demonstrating a trend towards superiority in prevention of adverse post-surgical outcomes in the dropless cohort.

Being tested
Dropless Regimen, Standard Regimen
Keywords
cataract surgery, post-operative care, vulnerable populations, compliance, patient satisfaction
Medical subject headings
Cataract, Patient Compliance, Medication Adherence, Patient Satisfaction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dropless RegimenDrug

    Intraoperative subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone acetonide (20mg) delivered 4-5 mm posterior to the limbus at the end of surgery.

    Intraoperative intracameral injection of cefuroxime delivered at the end of surgery.

    No postoperative drops.

  • Standard RegimenDrug

    Intraoperative intracameral injection of cefuroxime delivered at the end of surgery.

    Neomycin/Polymyxin B ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 week, then stop.

    Ketorolac 0.5% ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 month or until the bottle runs out.

    Prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 month, then stop.

Study groups in NCT05157113
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dropless RegimenActive comparator* Intraoperative subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone acetonide (20mg) delivered 4-5 mm posterior to the limbus at the end of surgery * Intraoperative intracameral injection of cefuroxime delivered at the end of surgery. * No postoperative drops.
Receives: Drug: Dropless Regimen
Standard RegimenActive comparator* Intraoperative intracameral injection of cefuroxime delivered at the end of surgery. * Neomycin/Polymyxin B ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 week, then stop. * Ketorolac 0.5% ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 month or until the bottle runs out. * Prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic solution: one drop to the operative eye four times daily for 1 month, then stop.
Receives: Drug: Standard Regimen

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Patient Compliance with Postoperative Regimen

    Compliance will be reported via a language-specific VOILS DOSE Nonadherence Survey and an in-person verbal/visual adherence check with staff. The survey is separated into two parts: Extent of Nonadherence and Reasons for Nonadherence. Extent of Nonadherence will evaluate whether medicine dosages have been skipped or missed, with a variety of options ranging from "none of the time" to "every time." Reasons for Nonadherence will present possible causes of missed/skipped dosage, with a variety of options ranging from "not at all" to "very much."

    Measured: Post Operative Week 1

  2. Patient Compliance with Postoperative Regimen

    Compliance will be reported via a language-specific VOILS DOSE Nonadherence Survey and an in-person verbal/visual adherence check with staff. The survey is separated into two parts: Extent of Nonadherence and Reasons for Nonadherence. Extent of Nonadherence will evaluate whether medicine dosages have been skipped or missed, with a variety of options ranging from "none of the time" to "every time." Reasons for Nonadherence will present possible causes of missed/skipped dosage, with a variety of options ranging from "not at all" to "very much."

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  3. Patient Satisfaction

    Patients will rate their post-operative recovery on a Likert Scale of 1-5, with 1 being "very unsatisfied" and 5 being "very satisfied." Supplemental questions are included to obtain the patients' opinions on their eyesight, pain, and personal experience with the post-operative routine. After undergoing a second eye surgery and post-operative treatment, the survey will be given again with an additional question asking patients to indicate their preference between the two post-operative regimens as a binary choice.

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  4. Caregiver Satisfaction

    Caregivers will also rate their satisfaction with the patients' post-operative recovery on a Likert Scale of 1-5, with 1 being "very unsatisfied" and 5 being "very satisfied." Supplemental questions are included to obtain the caregivers' personal experience with the post-operative routine. After the patient's second eye surgery and post-operative treatment, the survey will be given again with an additional question asking caregivers to choose between the two post-operative regimens as a binary choice.

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Snellen Visual Acuity

    Uncorrected and Best Corrected Snellen Visual Acuity Values

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  2. Clinically Significant Cystoid Macular Edema

    Presence or absence of Clinically Significant Cystoid Macular Edema; assessed by clinical examination

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  3. Rebound Anterior Uveitis

    Presence or absence of Rebound Anterior Uveitis; assessed by clinical Presence or absence of Clinically Significant Cystoid Macular Edema; assessed by clinical examination

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  4. Intraocular Pressure

    Intraocular Pressure in mmHg; assessed by standard tonography in clinical examination

    Measured: Post Operative Month 1

  5. Endophthalmitis

    Presence or absence of endophthalmitis; assessed by clinical examination

    Measured: Post Operative Week 1

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Dec 2021
  2. Study start31 May 2022
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Jun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
70 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05157113
Sponsor's protocol ID
21-33492
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
30 Nov 2021
Last updated
27 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Shorstein NH, Liu L, Waxman MD, Herrinton LJ. Comparative Effectiveness of Three Prophylactic Strategies to Prevent Clinical Macular Edema after Phacoemulsification Surgery. Ophthalmology. 2015 Dec;122(12):2450-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.08.024. Epub 2015 Sep 26.

    PubMed 26409728
  • Shorstein NH, Winthrop KL, Herrinton LJ. Decreased postoperative endophthalmitis rate after institution of intracameral antibiotics in a Northern California eye department. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013 Jan;39(1):8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2012.07.031. Epub 2012 Oct 2.

    PubMed 23036356

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Dropless Regimen and Standard Regimen in people with Cataract and Surgery, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Sriranjani Padmanabhan, MD (415-514-0241, sriranjani.padmanabhan@ucsf.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Patient Compliance with Postoperative Regimen (time frame: Post Operative Week 1). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05157113, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Oct 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in