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Ocular PainPhase 4AURORANCT07849803

Effect of Acoltremon Ophthalmic Solution 0.003% on Tear Production and Symptoms in Patients With Tear Deficiency and Concurrent Neuropathic Corneal Pain

A Phase 4 study testing acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% in people with Ocular Pain and Dry Eye, run by University of South Florida at 1 site in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study is designed to provide clinical data on how acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% affects tear production and ocular symptoms in participants with tear deficiency and concurrent neuropathic corneal pain. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Ocular Pain, Dry Eye
What is being tested?
acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
28 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Oct 2026to 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

  • Male or female aged ≥ 18 years
  • Baseline unanesthetized Schirmer test ≥2 and < 10 mm
  • Symptoms of neuropathic corneal pain (such as burning, stinging, light sensitivity, discomfort, or pain) for at least 3 months with driving symptom rated at level 4 or higher on VAS.
  • Positive IVCM findings evaluated by an experienced ophthalmologist (Pedram Hamrah, MD): for decreased nerve density AND evidence of microneuromas.
  • Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test.
  • Change of 50% or more improvement in VAS score after topical 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride (Alcaine, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX).

Who cannot join

  • Evidence of any active ocular infection or any intraocular inflammation.
  • Evidence of any persistent epithelial defect/ulcer or any corneal scar/corneal edema.
  • Presence of any other ocular conditions that require topical medications during the treatment phase.
  • History of severe systemic allergies or severe ocular allergies.
  • Inability to suspend topical medications and varenicline 8 days prior to the starting date, except for artificial and serum tears for which subjects must be stable on current regimen for ≥3 months with no changes during the trial.
  • History of any ocular surgery within three months before study Visit 1.
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Ocular surgery expected during the duration of the study.
  • Use of refractive/therapeutic contact lenses during the study period.
  • Female subjects who are pregnant/have a positive pregnancy test result or are breastfeeding or intend to become pregnant during the study treatment period.
  • Drug addiction/alcohol abuse within the last year.
  • Participation in another clinical trial concurrently.

Trial locations and contacts

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

United States1 site
  • The University of South Florida

    Tampa, Florida, 33612

    Mya Reese, 8139742020, mreese179@usf.edu

    Susan Sherouse, 8139742020, ssherous@usf.edu

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study is designed to provide clinical data on how acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% affects tear production and ocular symptoms in participants with tear deficiency and concurrent neuropathic corneal pain. Acoltremon is formulated to help increase natural tear production by activating TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8) receptors on cold-sensitive corneal nerves. It is thought that this study treatment may help participants by increasing tear production while potentially reducing neuropathic ocular symptoms, including pain and discomfort.

Participants will be followed for 8 weeks, evaluating the mean change in unanesthetized Schirmer test score between 3 minutes post-drop at Week 8 compared to pre-drop at baseline (Day 1), change in neuropathic symptom intensity as measured by a 0-10 VAS (Visual Analog Scale) from baseline to Week 8, and change in quality of life as assessed by the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) from baseline to Week 8. The study will also evaluate changes in corneal nerve structure, nerve function, corneal sensitivity, ocular surface symptoms, and treatment satisfaction.

Read the detailed description

AURORA is a prospective, open-label, single-center, single-arm investigator-initiated study evaluating TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%) in 28 adults with neuropathic corneal pain and concurrent tear deficiency. Eligible participants must have neuropathic ocular symptoms for at least 3 months, a driving symptom score of at least 4 on a 0-10 VAS (Visual Analog Scale), reduced corneal nerve density and microneuromas on IVCM (In Vivo Confocal Microscopy), at least 50% symptom improvement following topical proparacaine, and an unanesthetized Schirmer score of at least 2 mm but less than 10 mm.

Participants will administer acoltremon 0.003% in both eyes twice daily for 8 weeks. One qualifying eye per participant will be designated as the study eye for analysis. There is no placebo or comparator group.

The primary endpoint is the mean change in unanesthetized Schirmer score from pre-drop baseline to 3 minutes post-drop at Week 8. Secondary endpoints include acute change in Schirmer score on Day 1, change in neuropathic ocular symptom intensity on the VAS (Visual Analog Scale), and change in quality of life measured by OPAS (Ocular Pain Assessment Survey). Exploratory outcomes include changes in corneal nerve structure and function, corneal sensitivity, OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) scores, drop comfort, and treatment satisfaction.

Safety monitoring will focus on corneal staining, visual acuity, discomfort following drop administration, and adverse events, with a safety assessment conducted after the first five participants.

Conditions
Ocular Pain, Dry Eye
Being tested
acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%
Keywords
Dry Eye, Eye pain, tear deficiency
Medical subject headings
Eye Pain, Dry Eye Syndromes

What participants receive

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

  • acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%Drug

    acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%, one drop, twice a day, into the study eye, for 8 weeks.

Study groups in NCT07849803
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Acoltremon GroupExperimentalPatients will administer one drop of Acoltremon Ophthalmic Solution 0.003% twice a day for 8 weeks.
Receives: Drug: acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in Unanesthetized Schirmer Test Score at Week 8

    Mean change from the pre-dose measurement at baseline (Day 1) to the measurement taken 3 minutes after dosing at Week 8. Range: 0-35 mm Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater tear production and a better outcome.

    Measured: Time frame: Baseline to Week 8

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Acute Change in Unanesthetized Schirmer Test Score on Day 1

    Mean change from the pre-dose measurement to the measurement taken 3 minutes after the first dose. Range: 0-35 mm Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater tear production and a better outcome.

    Measured: Pre-dose to 3 minutes post-dose on Day 1

  2. Change in Neuropathic Ocular Symptom Intensity

    Change in pain, discomfort, or another identified neuropathic symptom measured using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). Range: 0-10 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater pain or symptom severity and a worse outcome.

    Measured: Baseline to Week 8

  3. Change in Ocular Pain-Related Quality of Life

    Change in quality of life measured using the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS). Range: 0-10 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater ocular pain and symptom severity and a worse outcome.

    Measured: Baseline to Week 8

Timeline

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

  1. First posted30 Sep 2026
  2. Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionMay 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJun 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
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
28 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07849803
Sponsor's protocol ID
RTI #26-RCD0.16
Acronym
AURORA
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
24 Sep 2026
Last updated
6 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: The University of South Florida Eye Institute is not a pharmacy distribution company, the information being collected is for medical science to improve patient care options.

Publications

  • Rolke R, Baron R, Maier C, Tolle TR, Treede -DR, Beyer A, Binder A, Birbaumer N, Birklein F, Botefur IC, Braune S, Flor H, Huge V, Klug R, Landwehrmeyer GB, Magerl W, Maihofner C, Rolko C, Schaub C, Scherens A, Sprenger T, Valet M, Wasserka B. Quantitative sensory testing in the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS): standardized protocol and reference values. Pain. 2006 Aug;123(3):231-243. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.041. Epub 2006 May 11.

    PubMed 16697110
  • Villani E, Baudouin C, Efron N, Hamrah P, Kojima T, Patel SV, Pflugfelder SC, Zhivov A, Dogru M. In vivo confocal microscopy of the ocular surface: from bench to bedside. Curr Eye Res. 2014 Mar;39(3):213-31. doi: 10.3109/02713683.2013.842592. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

    PubMed 24215436
  • Qazi Y, Hurwitz S, Khan S, Jurkunas UV, Dana R, Hamrah P. Validity and Reliability of a Novel Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) in Quantifying and Monitoring Corneal and Ocular Surface Pain. Ophthalmology. 2016 Jul;123(7):1458-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.03.006. Epub 2016 Apr 16.

    PubMed 27089999
  • Dieckmann G, Goyal S, Hamrah P. Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Approaches for Management. Ophthalmology. 2017 Nov;124(11S):S34-S47. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.08.004.

    PubMed 29055360
  • Galor A, Levitt RC, Felix ER, Martin ER, Sarantopoulos CD. Neuropathic ocular pain: an important yet underevaluated feature of dry eye. Eye (Lond). 2015 Mar;29(3):301-12. doi: 10.1038/eye.2014.263. Epub 2014 Nov 7.

    PubMed 25376119
  • Belmonte C, Nichols JJ, Cox SM, Brock JA, Begley CG, Bereiter DA, Dartt DA, Galor A, Hamrah P, Ivanusic JJ, Jacobs DS, McNamara NA, Rosenblatt MI, Stapleton F, Wolffsohn JS. TFOS DEWS II pain and sensation report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):404-437. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.002. Epub 2017 Jul 20.

    PubMed 28736339
  • Marfurt C, Anokwute MC, Fetcko K, Mahony-Perez E, Farooq H, Ross E, Baumanis MM, Weinberg RL, McCarron ME, Mankowski JL. Comparative Anatomy of the Mammalian Corneal Subbasal Nerve Plexus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019 Dec 2;60(15):4972-4984. doi: 10.1167/iovs.19-28519.

    PubMed 31790560
  • Cruzat A, Qazi Y, Hamrah P. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of Corneal Nerves in Health and Disease. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jan;15(1):15-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2016.09.004. Epub 2016 Oct 19.

    PubMed 27771327
  • Marfurt CF, Cox J, Deek S, Dvorscak L. Anatomy of the human corneal innervation. Exp Eye Res. 2010 Apr;90(4):478-92. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2009.12.010. Epub 2009 Dec 29.

    PubMed 20036654

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% in people with Ocular Pain and Dry Eye, run by University of South Florida 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 6 inclusion and 11 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 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 Mya L. Reese (18139742020, MCOM-Eyeresearch@usf.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Unanesthetized Schirmer Test Score at Week 8 (time frame: Time frame: Baseline to Week 8). 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 NCT07849803, which also lists 9 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 6 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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