First-line Antimetabolites as Steroid-sparing Treatment (FAST) Uveitis Trial

The FAST trial is a multi-center, NIH-funded, block-randomized, observer-masked study evaluating methotrexate versus mycophenolate mofetil as first-line steroid-sparing therapies for noninfectious uveitis. Dr. Lyndell Lim at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne is the Australian site PI.

PI: Nisha Acharya, MD, MS

Mortality Reduction after Oral Azithromycin (MORDOR II)

MORDOR II trials, designed by Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna and UCSF, assess the impact of mass azithromycin administration on child mortality and antimicrobial resistance. Trials include CHAT, NAITRE, and GAMIN to evaluate treatment strategies in infants and young children.

Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Trachoma Community Treatment Strategies

Through trials like SWIFT, KETFO, and TIRET, UCSF is testing different azithromycin distribution schedules and hygiene interventions to eliminate trachoma. Biannual treatments and targeted approaches have shown promising results. Mortality impacts were also measured during these campaigns.

PI: Thomas M. Lietman, MD, Jeremy Keenan, MD, MPH

Steroids and Cross-linking for Ulcer Treatment (SCUT II)

SCUT II evaluates the use of corticosteroids and/or corneal cross-linking for severe bacterial keratitis. The study is a collaboration between UCSF, Aravind Eye Care System, and Kaiser Permanente.

Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial (MUTT I & II)

MUTT I compared voriconazole to natamycin, while MUTT II evaluates the addition of oral voriconazole. Collaborators include UCSF, Aravind Eye Hospitals, and Dartmouth Medical School.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis Studies

UCSF and Aravind Eye Hospitals investigate diagnosis and treatment strategies for acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious infection.

Glaucoma Screening Project

This project compares various portable glaucoma screening tools in collaboration with Narayana Nethralaya in Bangalore.

Village Integrated Eye Worker Trial (VIEW I & II)

VIEW I evaluates whether community health workers can reduce corneal ulceration by providing antibiotic ointment after eye injury. VIEW II expands screening to glaucoma, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy using portable imaging and diagnostics. Funded by NEI.

Nepal Elimination of Trachoma Study (NETS)

NETS is a randomized clinical trial designed to determine if repeated mass antibiotic treatments can sustainably eliminate ocular chlamydia at the district level.

Partnership for the Rapid Elimination of Trachoma (PRET)

PRET is a 3-country, Gates Foundation-funded trial testing the effectiveness of varying antibiotic coverage and frequency in trachoma elimination programs in Niger, Tanzania, and The Gambia.

Mortality Reduction after Oral Azithromycin (MORDOR)

MORDOR tests whether mass azithromycin distribution can reduce all-cause childhood mortality, even in regions with low trachoma burden.

First-line Antimetabolites as Steroid-sparing Treatment (FAST) Uveitis Trial

FAST is a multi-country trial evaluating methotrexate vs. mycophenolate mofetil for uveitis. Saudi Arabia site is led by Dr. Hassan Dhibi at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital.

PI: Nisha Acharya, MD, MS

Telemedicine for CMV Retinitis

UCSF collaborates with Chiang Mai University to test smartphone-based retinal imaging and remote reading to detect CMV retinitis in HIV patients. The study explores AI and non-specialist reader models.

FAST, MUST, POINT, and DIP Uveitis Trials

Multiple studies coordinated by UCSF’s Dr. Nisha Acharya including FAST, MUST, POINT (uveitis steroid treatments), and DIP (metagenomic pathogen detection). Studies involve national and international collaborations.

Evaluating Ocular Sarcoidosis Criteria

A retrospective international study validating IWOS diagnostic criteria using pooled data from 17 centers globally.

Epidemiologic Studies on Uveitis

Includes studies on predictors of outcomes and medication risks, conducted with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.

The SICCA Study

The Sjogren's International Clinical Collaborative Alliance is a long-term NIH-funded project to define diagnostic criteria and collect biospecimens for primary Sjogren’s syndrome. UCSF is the coordinating site with global recruitment from 9 locations including China, Japan, Argentina, India, Denmark, UK, and USA.