Artificial Tears to Prevent Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Patients Treated With Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2027-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
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.