Clinical Research

Ophthalmic Clinical Research Center
Retina Clinical Trials
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Laser Vision Correction
Keratoconus

Discovery Eye Foundation's Ophthalmic Clinical Research Center

Launched in early 2000, patients in Los Angeles now have an opportunity to be part of cutting-edge clinical research into new devices and drugs to treat eye problems. Helping patients with eye disorders through their participation in quality research studies is the mission of the Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Center.

Since its opening, the Clinical Trials Center has contracted with a number of ophthalmic companies to undertake research projects of great importance to the general public. Along with the Morris S. Pynoos Ophthalmology Research Laboratories at the University of California, Irvine, our team of researchers is paving the way for a unique relationship to unfold - the combination of basic science and clinical research to promote the understanding and management of eye disorders that currently lack effective treatment. Topics for future clinical trials include dry eyes, laser vision correction to prevent "lazy eye" in children, bifocal intraocular lenses, intraocular lenses to correct high myopia and hyperopia, and contact lenses and solutions.

Retina Clinical Trials

Ophthalmologists David Boyer, Edgar Lee Thomas, Roger Novack, Thomas G. Chu and Ron P. Gallemore of Retina-Vitreous Associates in Los Angeles are conducting a number of retinal clinical trials. Go to the Retina-Vitreous Associates web site for the latest information.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

While Retina-Vitreous Associates are conducting clinical trials on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Los Angeles, for other clinical trials information related to AMD from throughout the nation, please go to the Macular Degeneration Partnership web site.

Laser Vision Correction

After ten years as pioneers in conducting tests on the use of lasers for vision correction, Discovery Eye scientists Drs. Ezra Maguen, Anthony B. Nesburn and James Salz remain actively involved in laser clinical trials.

SUPER VISION

The Next Step in Laser Vision Correction

Pictured is the CustomCornea Measuring Device (CCMD) being tested for efficacy in a new method of laser refractive surgery called CustomCornea Correction. The laser when used with this new investigational instrument may potentially correct vision better than 20/20. It also might help patients with irregularities in their cornea or who have experienced problems after previous refractive surgery.

"In real life, everyone's eye is a little different," explained Dr. James Salz. "We are now studying whether we can customize the laser to provide individual treatments unique for each patient. This might mean correcting vision better than 20/20 in some patients or, for others, giving us a better option to help treat their more difficult vision disorders."

To evaluate this new method of laser refractive surgery called CustomCornea Correction, the CustomCornea Measuring Device (CCMD) was recently installed at Discovery Eye's Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Center. It will be used in conjunction with the LADARVision Excimer Laser System by Alcon Summit Autonomous Technologies. We will be the only location on the West Coast, and only one of five centers nationwide, to have this investigational instrument.

Patients with irregularities in their cornea or who have experienced problems after previous refractive surgery, may be able to have their visual errors corrected using the CCMD. Current methods of measuring abnormal corneal surfaces fall short and are usually not successful in this particular group of patients. This could be an incredible advancement in the treatment for these highly specialized cases.

The CCMD bases its measurements on "wavefront sensing" and uses a special laser beam that focuses light on a small spot on the retina (the back of the eye). The device scatters the light and the light bounces back out of the eye to make a detailed "map" of the problem areas. This map provides a more sophisticated means of measuring visual errors and allows the doctor to customize treatments to the patient's individual needs. It is believed that this method will provide better laser correction of vision and could result in vision better than 20/20.

For more information about laser clinical trials please see either the Discovery Eye's Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Web Site or Dr. Salz's web site

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Discovery Eye Foundation
8733 Beverly Blvd., Suite 201
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: 310-623-4466
Fax: 310-623-1837
E-mail: contactus@discoveryeye.org
Web site: http://www.discoveryeye.org

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