Research

Thomas Eye Group actively conducts ongoing clinical trials and studies for a variety of eye diseases and conditions. This gives our patients access to medications and devices in clinical development, and provides effective treatment of their particular disease or condition. The ultimate goal is to continue to improve a patient’s vision and overall quality of life.

Current Clinical Trials

Protocol AF: This randomized trial will evaluate the effect of fenofibrate compared with placebo for prevention of diabetic retinopathy (DR) worsening through 4 years of follow-up in eyes with mild to moderately severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

You must have the following few criteria to be considered for this study:

  • Age 18 years to 80 years.
  • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • At least one eye with the following:
    • Mild to moderately severe NPDR.
    • Best-corrected visual acuity 20/32 or better

Protocol AM: A Randomized Trial Comparing Immediate versus Deferred Surgery for Symptomatic Epiretinal Membranes (ERM)

You must have the following few criteria to be considered for this study:

  • Age 45 years and older
  • Diagnosis with epiretinal membrane
  • Best-corrected visual acuity 20/40 or better
  • No prior surgery for epiretinal membrane

Protocol AN: This randomized clinical trial will evaluate the effect of tonabersat compared with placebo on central subfield thickness in eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema and good visual acuity.

You must have the following criteria to be considered for this study:

  • Age 18 years and older
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Best corrected visual acuity 20/25 or better
  • Clinical exam evidence of diabetic retinopathy
  • Have evidence of center-involved Diabetic Macula Edema in the study eye confirmed by central subfield thickness on OCT
ShOre study: OPT-302 With Ranibizumab in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) You must have the following criteria to be considered for this study:
  • Age 50 years and older
  • Best visual acuity of 20/30 to 20/300 in the study eye
  • Recently diagnosed with Wet Macular Degeneration
  • No previous treatment for wet AMD that includes surgery, laser, or injection in the study eye

Neurotrophic Keratopathy (NK):  A Phase 3, Multi-Center, Randomized, Parallel, Double Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of 0.1% RGN-259 Ophthalmic Solution for the Treatment of Neurotrophic Keratopathy (SEER-2).

You must have the following criteria to be considered for this study:

  1. Age 18 years and older
  2. Have a confirmed diagnosis of stage 2 or 3 neurotrophic keratopathy in at least one eye
  3. Visual acuity of 20/30 or worse in the study eye  
  4. Have not used Oxervate™ in the study eye within the past 2 months

Who can participate in a Clinical Study?

Clinical studies have standards outlining who can participate, called eligibility criteria. These criteria are based on many factors, including age, medical history, and current medical conditions. Some research studies seek participants who have an illness or conditions that will be studied. Other studies are looking for healthy participants. The best way to determine eligibility is by completing an examination with one of the physicians involved in the study.

Why should I consider participating in a clinical study?

Patients generally participate in clinical studies because they hope to benefit from the investigational use of a new procedure and because they want to contribute to research efforts that help find new methods to improve vision. Some patients participate to receive all study-related doctor visits, diagnostic testing and study treatments at no charge to them or their insurance company. Others benefit from the compensation involved for their time and travel.

How are participants protected?

Clinical studies conducted at Thomas Eye are monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) that is charged with the protection of the rights and welfare of research participants. This independent committee of physicians, researchers, attorneys, community advocated, and others ensure that the clinical trial is ethical and the rights of study participants are protected. Before enrolling in a clinical study, patients will receive an informed consent document. This document helps people decide whether they want to enroll or continue to participate, in the study. The informed consent process is intended to protect participants and should provide enough information for a person to understand the risks of, potential benefits of, and alternatives to the study. In general, a person must sign an informed consent document before entering a study to show that he or she was given information on risks, potential benefits, and alternatives and understands it. Signing the document and providing consent is not a contract. Participants may withdraw from a study at any time, even if the study is not over.

What are my rights as a research participant?

If you are asked to participate in a research study, you have the rights to:

  • Know what the study involves and how long it will last
  • Be told all known risks and benefits involved in the study
  • Have the drugs or devices used in the study described
  • Be told of medical treatment available to you should you be injured because of the study
  • Have a chance to ask questions about the study
  • Quit the study at any time without it affecting your future treatment
  • Maintain your privacy. Your name and personal information will not appear in any reports or articles about the study
  • Have enough time to decide whether or not to take part in the study and to make that decision without feeling forced or required to participate
  • Be given a copy of the signed and dated informed consent form

At Thomas Eye Group, our study participants are very important to us, and we provide them with exceptional care and attention. We are always seeking participants for current and future studies. If you are interested in participating, please contact our research coordinator, Kathy Wynne.

Alternately, fill out this contect form for more information.

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