Tests artificial tears to prevent tear duct blockage after radioiodine for thyroid cancer
Tests artificial tears in adults with thyroid cancer treated with radioactive iodine.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Artificial Tears to Prevent Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Patients Treated With Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Nashville, United StatesSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 3
Where in United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Trial code
- NCT05999630
- Record updated
- 3 November 2026
- Original description
The association of radioiodine therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer with nasolacrimal duct obstruction has been well documented in the medical literature. Prior case reports have documented radioactive iodine detection in the tears of patients following radioiodine therapy. It is possible that radioactive uptake by the cells in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and obstruction of the tear duct over time. A recent study has shown that the administration of artificial tears decreases the level of detectable radioiodine in the tears of patients undergoing radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer. The purpose of this study will be to assess whether administering tears after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer decreases the incidence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the two years following radioactive iodine treatment.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Use of Artificial Tears to Prevent Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Patients Who Are Treated With Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer
The association of radioiodine therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer with nasolacrimal duct obstruction has been well documented in the medical literature. Prior case reports have documented radioactive iodine detection in the tears of patients following radioiodine therapy. It is possible that radioactive uptake by the cells in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and obstruction of the tear duct over time. A recent study has shown that the administration of artificial tears decreases the level of detectable radioiodine in the tears of patients undergoing radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer. The purpose of this study will be to assess whether administering tears after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer decreases the incidence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the two years following radioactive iodine treatment.
Inclusion: Radio-iodine therapy for thyroid cancer; Radioiodine therapy ≥150 mCi; Age 18 or older.
Exclusion: Prior radiotherapy; Current or prior use of chemotherapy drugs (i.e. 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel); History of periocular trauma with tear duct involvement/lacrimal gland trauma; History of lacrimal drainage disease: canaliculitis, dacryocystitis; Medical conditions that predispose to NLD stenosis (i.e. sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia); Use of eye drops, other than artificial tears; Nasolacrimal duct obstruction at baseline.