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fMRI and IVCM Cornea Microscopy of CXL in Keratoconus

Boston Children's Hospital · NCT04439552

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 8–35 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Observational
Target enrollment
60
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
October 4, 2021
Record last updated
December 19, 2025

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

Evaluation of neuroplasticity of pain pathways and corneal afferent nerve regeneration following corneal crosslinking (CXL) in keratoconus patients using fMRI and corneal In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM).

Conditions: Pain, Postoperative; Pain, Chronic; Pain, Acute; Surgical Injury; Surgical Wound; Cornea Injury; Cornea; Keratoconus

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

CXL Group

  • Age 8-35 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of keratoconus and seeking CXL treatment
  • English speaking ability sufficient to comprehend consent with parental assistance
  • MRI compatible
  • Ability to lie still for an MRI session (60 minutes)

Control Group

  • Age 8-35 years
  • No diagnosis of keratoconus
  • English speaking ability sufficient to comprehend consent with parental assistance
  • MRI compatible
  • Ability to lie still for an MRI session (60 minutes)

Exclusion Criteria (Both Groups):

  • Claustrophobic
  • Weight > 285 lbs (weight limit of the MRI table)
  • Significant medical history, including:

Current DSM-IV-TR axis I psychiatric disorders. Chronic pain Significant head injury Seizures Brain tumor Cerebrovascular accident Neurological disease aside from migraine HIV-AIDs Prescription medication strongly implicated in causing dry eyes

  • Magnetic implants or metal-containing tattoos on their chest or above
  • Pregnancy
  • History of contact lens wear
  • Any allergic response to a numbing eyedrop in the past

Recruiting US locations

  • Boston Children's Hospital

    Boston, MA 02115

    Site contact: Nicholas J Pondelis, BA · 617-919-1895 · nicholas.pondelis@childrens.harvard.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Eric A Moulton, OD PhD · 617-919-6827 · eric.moulton@childrens.harvard.edu
  • Nicholas J Pondelis, BA · 617-919-1895 · nicholas.pondelis@childrens.harvard.edu
All pain studies in Massachusetts →
fMRI and IVCM Cornea Microscopy of CXL in Keratoconus (NCT04439552) | Bored Studies