PEMF: an Adjunct Therapy for Anterior Uveitis
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Ocular |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Ophthalmology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 85 |
| Updated: | 2/8/2015 |
| Start Date: | August 2009 |
| End Date: | April 2015 |
| Contact: | George Papaliodis, MD |
| Email: | George_Papaliodis@meei.harvard.edu |
| Phone: | 617-573-5549 |
PEMF an Adjunct Therapy for Anterior Uveitis
The purpose of this study is to determine if a medical device (ActiPatch) that emits a low
frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) will benefit patients with anterior uveitis.
Anterior uveitis (aka iritis) is an inflammatory disease involving the front segment of the
eye. This is a common cause of a painful red eye, and ActiPatch has been shown to be
effective in treating tissue inflammation. The conventional treatment of iritis typically
involves frequent administration of topical steroids which have their own inherent risks
(development of cataracts and/or glaucoma). The purpose of this study is to determine if
ActiPatch therapy can be used to shorten the length of time and/or quantity of steroids
administered.
frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) will benefit patients with anterior uveitis.
Anterior uveitis (aka iritis) is an inflammatory disease involving the front segment of the
eye. This is a common cause of a painful red eye, and ActiPatch has been shown to be
effective in treating tissue inflammation. The conventional treatment of iritis typically
involves frequent administration of topical steroids which have their own inherent risks
(development of cataracts and/or glaucoma). The purpose of this study is to determine if
ActiPatch therapy can be used to shorten the length of time and/or quantity of steroids
administered.
Iritis is an inflammatory disease focused in the anterior chamber of the eye. The
inflammation inside the eye can lead to a number of conditions that ultimately effect
vision. These can include glaucoma, posterior synechiae, cystoid macular edema, and
cataract. The standard treatment for the disease is drug therapy centered around the
administration of corticosteroids. These are administered in the form of eye drops, and if
necessary periocular/intraocular injections, or/and by systemic oral/IV administration.
Unfortunately, the treatment with corticosteroids can similarly induce severe side effects
including glaucoma and cataract formation. ActiPatch is a medical device that emits a low
frequency pulsed electromagnetic field. This device has been shown to reduce inflammation
and pain in a number of conditions, eg blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). ActiPatch is FDA
approved for use after blepharoplasty to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. The
treatment is not invasive, does not require additional medication, and side effects from
ActiPatch and other PEMF devices have not been reported. The potential benefit of treating
uveitis with ActiPatch is the potential to reduce the time and/or amount of steroid
administration. This would benefit patients by reducing the risk of unwanted side effects of
the corticosteroid treatment.
The benefit to society would be an improved treatment for anterior uveitis.
inflammation inside the eye can lead to a number of conditions that ultimately effect
vision. These can include glaucoma, posterior synechiae, cystoid macular edema, and
cataract. The standard treatment for the disease is drug therapy centered around the
administration of corticosteroids. These are administered in the form of eye drops, and if
necessary periocular/intraocular injections, or/and by systemic oral/IV administration.
Unfortunately, the treatment with corticosteroids can similarly induce severe side effects
including glaucoma and cataract formation. ActiPatch is a medical device that emits a low
frequency pulsed electromagnetic field. This device has been shown to reduce inflammation
and pain in a number of conditions, eg blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). ActiPatch is FDA
approved for use after blepharoplasty to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. The
treatment is not invasive, does not require additional medication, and side effects from
ActiPatch and other PEMF devices have not been reported. The potential benefit of treating
uveitis with ActiPatch is the potential to reduce the time and/or amount of steroid
administration. This would benefit patients by reducing the risk of unwanted side effects of
the corticosteroid treatment.
The benefit to society would be an improved treatment for anterior uveitis.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Human subjects who have been clinically diagnosed with anterior uveitis (iritis) but
are in otherwise in good health will be recruited for the study. The age requirement
will be a minimum of 18 yrs. We will recruit 24 patient for this study. Subjects
will only be included who have been clinically diagnosed with anterior uveitis
(noninfectious). Eligibility will be determined by the treating Ophthalmologist
(principal investigator) for inclusion in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Vulnerable subjects, as defined by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), will not be
recruited for participation (This includes individuals under 18, pregnant women,
prisoners, fetuses, patients mentally or physically unable to provide written
informed consent).
- Other groups excluded include: patients with pacemakers and patients with
ferromagnetic metal implants since these devices may be effected by the pulsed
electromagnetic field.
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