CLINICAL RESEARCH - Nisha Acharya, M.D.
Predicting and Improving Clinical Outcomes in Bacterial Keratitis
There is ongoing controversy regarding the use of steroids in treating bacterial corneal ulcers. Additional data is needed to help clinicians understand the risks vs. benefits. The Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Treatment is an NEI-funded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolling patients at the Proctor Foundation at UCSF, Aravind Eye Hospital in South India and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The main objective of SCUT is to study the effect of topical steroids on bacterial corneal ulcers. Using the data collected in this trial, Dr. Acharya is performing ancillary studies comparing baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes by organism (Pseudomonas aeruginosa vs. all others), by genetic differences (invasive vs. cytotoxic P.aeruginosa), and by antibiotic susceptibility. In addition, Dr. Acharya is helping to design and implement a study on fungal corneal ulcers to determine optimal treatment.
New Treatments for Patients with Ocular Inflammation
Sight-threatening complications associated with uveitis include macular edema, which may be persistent even though the inflammation is controlled. Resolution of macular edema in uveitis is highly unusual without further therapy, and the only current medical treatment option for cystoid macular edema (CME) in uveitis is oral or regional steroid injections. Dr. Acharya has designed and is conducting a pilot study
to assess the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab, a new treatment recently approved for macular degeneration, in uveitis patients with macular edema who are not responsive to standard medical treatments. She is also an investigator in the NEI-sponsored Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment Trial.
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