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Topical Menthol For Tear Secretion
Sponsor: Reinhold Vieth
Summary
Tears are the natural way to keep eyes moist, and tears are important for good vision and healthy eyes. Eyes without enought tears get dry and sore. The natural and normal way to stimulate secretion of tears is by turning on cold sensors that are located on the cornea of the eye. Tear are normally released across the eyeball in a finely balanced system that balances out that natural evaporation. But sometimes there is not enough tear secretion to balance out the evaporation of tears and eyes can get sore. The aim here is to test whether menthol in its vapor form may possibly turn on those cold sensors and thus cause secretion of tears. Use of menthol vapors may be like having a switch to release more tears. The aim of this clinical trial is to test the hypothesis that a menthol solution applied onto a cheek will release enough menthol vapor into the air flowing up over the eye's cornea to stimulate cold sensors enough to make a tear flow from the eye. If the hypothesis that menthol safely stimulates tear secretion in healthy people proves to be correct, then this clinical trial may inspire more new research into the use of menthol as an alternative to the use of eye drops for some people.
Official title: Topical Menthol for Tear Secretion
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2025-08-17
Completion Date
2025-12-01
Last Updated
2025-09-16
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Topical application of 20% menthol solution in MCT oil.
To facilitate reproducible and correct application of the solution, the subject wears glasses while the product is applied. The solution is rolled onto one cheek by rolling it to an area of about 2cm X 2cm at the cheekbone, underneath the bottom rim of the glasses worn. This method delivers about 12 mg solution, i.e. 2.4 mg menthol to one cheek. Or this method delviers 12 mg of placebo oil. The subject then sits in still air for 5 minutes, at which point tissue is wiped across the skin below the bottom eyelashes to permit the weighing of secreted tear.
Topical Placebo Oil rolled onto the cheek.
To facilitate reproducible and correct application of the Placebo oil, the subject wears glasses while the product is applied. The Placebo oil is rolled onto one cheek by rolling it to an area of about 2cm X 2cm at the cheekbone, underneath the bottom rim of the glasses worn. This method delivers zero active agent. The subject then sits in still air for 5 minutes, at which point tissue is wiped across the skin below the bottom eyelashes to permit the weighing of secreted tear.
Locations (1)
Stearacl Incorporated.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada