Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Reducing Pain From Retinal Laser With Vibrational Stimulation

This research is exploring a new way to reduce pain during a common laser eye treatment called Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP). This treatment is often used for people with severe diabetic eye disease. The study aims to find out if a vibrating device can make this laser treatment more comfortable. They will compare treating eyes with the vibrating device to treating them without it. Patients needing treatment in both eyes will have one eye treated with the device and the other without. This helps researchers understand if the vibration really does make a difference in how much pain a person feels during the procedure.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

Start

15 Oct 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2027

Pain, Perioperative

What is this study about?

If you have diabetes, sometimes it can affect your eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. In some severe cases, a laser treatment called Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) is needed to protect your sight. While this treatment is very important, it can sometimes be uncomfortable or even painful, making it hard for people to complete all their appointments.

Doctors are always looking for better ways to make treatments more comfortable. This study is testing a special vibrating device that attaches to the laser machine's headrest. The idea is that this gentle vibration might help block pain signals to your brain, much like how rubbing a bumped elbow can make it feel a bit better. This is based on a theory that explains how our bodies manage pain signals.

The researchers want to see if this device can reduce discomfort during the laser treatment. They believe that if the treatment is less painful, it will be easier for people to go through with it and get the care they need for their eyes. They'll be comparing how patients feel when they have the vibrating device on during treatment to when they don't.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a vibrating device to lessen pain during laser eye treatment for diabetes.
The laser treatment, PRP, helps protect vision in severe diabetic eye disease.
One eye will receive treatment with the vibrating device, the other without, to compare comfort.
The aim is to make necessary eye treatments more bearable for patients.
Participation involves your regular laser treatment, with added pain level assessments.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would need to be getting laser treatment for diabetic eye disease for the first time, and you specifically need this special laser treatment called Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) in both eyes. You also need to have a certain amount of laser spots planned for each eye.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if your pupils (the black circle in the middle of your eye) don't open wide enough, or if something else in your eye makes it hard for the laser light to pass through, then you wouldn't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I need PRP laser treatment in both eyes?
Is this my first time having PRP laser treatment?
Are my pupils able to open wide enough for eye exams?
Do I have any other eye conditions that might block the laser?
Is my doctor planning for me to have at least 500 laser spots in each eye?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you will have your laser eye treatment as planned. One of your eyes will be treated with the special vibrating device in place, and the other eye will be treated without it. Which eye gets the device first, and which eye gets the device at all, will be decided randomly, like flipping a coin. You will likely be asked about your pain levels during and after each treatment. The total number of visits and the overall duration of your participation will depend on your treatment plan for the laser eye procedure itself.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of a more comfortable laser eye treatment if the vibrating device proves effective in reducing pain. However, it's important to remember that this is a research study, so it's not guaranteed to help. There are no known additional major risks from the vibrating device itself, as it's designed to be safe and gentle. Your doctor will discuss all potential risks associated with the laser treatment itself, which are the same whether you are in the study or not. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Alberta Retina Consultant
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada

Common questions

What is Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP)?

It's a laser eye treatment used for some serious types of diabetic eye disease to protect your sight.

What is the study trying to find out?

It wants to see if a special vibrating device can reduce pain during the PRP laser eye treatment.

Will I get the vibrating device on both eyes?

No, if you're in the study, one eye will be treated with the device and the other without, so researchers can compare.

Is the vibrating device safe?

The device is designed to be safe and gentle, and the study will check for its effectiveness and comfort.

What if I change my mind during the study?

You can leave the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Mathieu Carrière, MD, FRCSC

mcarrie2@ualberta.ca (780) 448-1801 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.