Celebrating a Research Milestone at The Eye Institute of Utah

Dr. Sean Cushman’s First Investigator-Initiated Trial Is Now Published

Advancing eye care doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through thoughtful research, collaboration, and a commitment to improving how patients are treated. The Eye Institute of Utah is proud to share an exciting milestone that reflects this mission. Dr. Sean Cushman’s first Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) has officially been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, marking an important achievement for both his work and our growing clinical research program.

While this publication is especially meaningful within the physician and research community, its impact extends directly to patients—particularly those living with chronic, difficult-to-treat ocular surface conditions. Outside of this study, Dr. Cushman was also the first provider in Utah to incorporate CAM360 into clinical care, reflecting his early adoption of emerging technologies designed to support ocular surface healing. This experience helped inform both the study design and its real-world clinical relevance.

What Was the Study About—In Plain Terms?

The study evaluated a newer form of amniotic membrane therapy used to support healing on the surface of the eye in patients with ocular surface disease (OSD).

Ocular surface disease is an umbrella term that includes conditions such as:

• Dry eye disease
  
• Neurotrophic keratopathy (reduced corneal sensitivity)
  
• Superficial punctate keratitis (microscopic damage to the cornea)
  

These conditions can cause symptoms like dryness, irritation, burning, light sensitivity, and fluctuating or blurred vision—and they don’t always respond well to traditional eye drops alone.

Why Amniotic Membrane Matters

Amniotic membrane has been used in medicine for decades to support tissue healing. In eye care, it’s valued for its natural anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, which may help calm irritation and support repair of the corneal surface.

Traditionally, amniotic membrane treatments have been reserved for more advanced or severe cases. This study focused on a newer, shelf-stable, cryopreserved form designed to be:

• More comfortable for patients
  
• Short-term (typically used for just 2–3 days)
  
• Easier to integrate into care for mild-to-moderate disease
  

What the Study Found

In this retrospective assessment of patients treated at the Eye Institute of Utah, researchers observed:

• Rapid improvement in corneal surface damage—often within just a few days
  
• High rates of symptom relief, including reductions in burning, irritation, and blurred vision
  
• Sustained benefits in many patients lasting several months after treatment
  
• A strong overall safety profile, with only mild, temporary irritation reported in a small number of cases
  

Importantly, the study evaluated both short-term and longer-term outcomes, helping clinicians better understand not only if improvement occurs, but how long benefits may last for some patients.

Why This Research Matters for Patients

For people who have tried multiple treatments without lasting relief, this study highlights a potential adjunctive option that may support healing more quickly than drops alone—while still fitting into a broader, personalized treatment plan.

It also reinforces a key principle of modern eye care: chronic ocular surface conditions often require layered, individualized approaches, rather than a single solution.

A Collaborative Effort Worth Recognizing

This publication represents months of careful planning and collaboration. Special recognition goes to Thomas Neil, who served as the project lead for the study, helping guide it from concept through execution and publication.

The study has also been recognized within the broader optometric community. It was picked up by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and featured as part of their professional news coverage, underscoring its relevance to advancing clinical understanding of ocular surface disease.

In addition, the publication is featured by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and is available through PubMed Central, further reflecting the study’s contribution to peer-reviewed ophthalmic and optometric research.

The work also reflects the Eye Institute of Utah’s continued role as a trusted resource for both patients and eyecare professionals, contributing meaningful data that helps advance the field.

Looking Ahead

While additional studies will continue to refine how and when this therapy is best used, this publication marks an important step forward—demonstrating how clinical research can translate into real-world insights that inform patient care.

We’re proud of Dr. Cushman and our research team for this achievement and remain committed to advancing eye care through expertise, innovation, and collaboration.

👉 You can read the full published article here:
“Shelf-Stable, Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane for the Management of Ocular Surface Disease”