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World-Class Retina Care. Community-Based Caring.

Research

In the last decade, medical researchers have made significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of retina conditions, discovering new sight-saving treatments for diseases that once robbed patients of their vision.

At Texas Retina Associates, we are committed to conducting ongoing research that will improve care for our patients—a value instilled by the pioneering physicians who founded our practice more than 50 years ago. In fact, our research program has grown to become one of the largest in the country for a community-based practice and rivals those of some of the largest academic medical centers.

Over the past 20 years, our physicians have participated in more than 75 national clinical trials, offering our patients access to promising new treatments for a variety of retina conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis.

We conduct clinical trials in our Dallas, Arlington, Lubbock, Fort Worth and Plano offices. Current study and location availability varies. Please contact our research department at (214) 692-6885, ext. 1, for more information or to determine eligibility for our current clinical trials. Physicians can refer a patient for clinical trial consideration here.

Our clinical research leadership team includes the following physicians:

Ashkan M. Abbey, MD — Director of Clinical Research, Dallas
Robert C. Wang, MD — Director of Clinical Research, Plano
Patrick D. Williams, MD — Director of Clinical Research, Fort Worth
Wayne A. Solley, MD — Director of Clinical Research, Arlington
Michel J. Shami, MD — Director of Clinical Research, Lubbock

Current Clinical Trials Available

Choroidal Melanoma

Title: Aura

A Phase II trial of AU-011 via suprachoroidal administration with a dose escalation phase (open-label, ascending single and repeat dose) and a randomized, masked dose expansion phase designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AU-011 in subjects with primary indeterminate lesions and small choroidal melanoma.

Principal Investigator:
Timothy S. Fuller, MD

Study Coordinators:
Sally Arceneaux, Marisa Kubacki

Office Location:
Dallas Main

Diabetic Macular Edema

Title: DRCR Protocol AN

A  Phase II evaluation of tonabersat for diabetic macular edema.

Principal Investigators:
Michel Shami, MD

Study Coordinator:
Lindsay Brannan

Office Locations:
Lubbock

Title: GR43828

A  Phase I, open-label study evaluating intravitreal injections of RO7446603 alone and co-administered with aflibercept in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Principal Investigators:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinator:
Jessica Flores

Office Locations:
Dallas Main

Title: Oracle RZ402-201

A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study to compare the efficacy and safety of RZ-402 in subjects with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Principal Investigators:
Lori Coors, MD

Study Coordinators:
Tara Keesling

Office Locations:
Plano

Title: Roche Alluvium

A Phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled study to investigate the efficacy and safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of R07200220 administered in combination with ranibizumab intravitreally.

Principal Investigators:
Wayne Solley, MD

Study Coordinators:
Michelle Curry

Office Locations:
Arlington

Diabetic Retinopathy

Title: DRCR Study Protocol AF

A randomized clinical trial evaluating fenofibrate for prevention of diabetic retinopathy worsening.

Principal Investigator:
Michel Shami, MD

Study Coordinator:
Lindsay Brannan

Office Location:
Lubbock

Title: OPL-0401-201

A Phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of OPL-0401 in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinator:
Jessica Flores

Office Location:
Dallas

Dry Macular Degeneration with Geographic Atrophy

Title: CLNP023E12201

A randomized, participant and investigator masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter, proof-of-concept study to assess the safety and efficacy of LNP023 (Iptacopan) in patients with early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration.

Principal Investigator:
Patrick Williams, MD

Study Coordinator:
Lori Hastings

Office Location:
Fort Worth

Title: Cognition COG2201

A randomized, Phase II study to evaluate oral CT1812 in subjects with late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Patrick Williams, MD

Study Coordinator:
Rachel Murray

Office Location:
Fort Worth

Title: Gyroscope EXPLORE — Gene Therapy

A Phase II, open-label, outcomes-assessor masked, multi-center, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two doses of GT005 administered as a single subretinal injection in subjects with geographic atrophy secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinator:
Ashley Hughes

Office Location:
Dallas Main

Title: Parasol

A Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate intravitreal JNJ-81201887 (AAVCAGsCD59) for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD (Dallas), Patrick Williams, MD (Fort Worth)

Study Coordinator:
Jessica Flores (Dallas), Lori Hastings (Fort Worth)

Office Location:
Dallas Main, Fort Worth

Title: SIGLEC

Evaluation of AVD-104 for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinator:
Jessica Flores

Office Location:
Dallas Main

Intravitreal Injection Device

Title: COOL3s

A controlled trial studying the use of rapid cooling anesthesia as local anesthesia for patients receiving intravitreal injections.

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinator:
Marisa Kubacki

Office Location:
Dallas Main

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Title: Rivoli BP 44241

A Phase Ib study to investigate RO7200394 in participants with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.

Principal Investigator:
Wayne Solley, MD

Study Coordinator:
Angie Torres

Office Location:
Arlington

Title: Quasar 22153

A randomized Phase III study of the efficacy and safety of aflibercept 8 mg in macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

Principal Investigator:
Patrick Williams, MD

Study Coordinator:
Marie Cirvellaro

Office Location:
Fort Worth

Wet Macular Degeneration

Title: ASCENT – RGX-314-3101

A a multicenter, randomized, active-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single administration of sub retinal gene therapy RGX-314 versus standard of care in patients with wet AMD.

Principal Investigators:
Ashkan Abbey, MD (Dallas Main), Patrick Williams, MD (Fort Worth)

Study Coordinators:
Ashley Hughes, COT (Dallas Main), Lori Hastings (Fort Worth)

Office Locations:
Dallas Main, Fort Worth

Title: ATMOSPHERE – RGX-314-2104

A randomized, partially masked, controlled, Phase IIb/III clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RGX-314 Gene Therapy in participants with neo-vascular age-related macular degeneration.

Principal Investigators:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinators:
Ashley Hughes, COT

Office Locations:
Dallas Main

Title: COAST OPT-302-1005

A Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked study to evaluate efficacy and safety of intravitreal OPT-302 in combination with aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Principal Investigators:
Lori Coors, MD

Study Coordinators:
Tara Keesling

Office Locations:
Plano

Title: ICON D-4517-002

A two-stage Phase II study assessing subcutaneously administered D-4517.2 in subjects with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or subjects with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Principal Investigators:
Wayne Solley, MD

Study Coordinators:
Angie Torres

Office Locations:
Arlington

Title: Odyssey

A Phase IIb study of suprachoroidally administered CLS-AX in participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Robert Wang, MD (Plano), Ashkan Abbey, MD (Dallas Main), Wayne Solley, MD (Arlington)

Study Coordinators:
Tara Keesling (Plano), Ashley Hughes, COT (Dallas Main), Michelle Curry (Arlington)

Office Location:
Plano, Dallas Main, Arlington

Title: OPTHEA-OPT-302-1004

A Phase III, multicenter, double-masked, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal OPT-302 in combination with ranibizumab, compared with ranibizumab alone, in participants with treatment naïve, neovascular, age-related macular degeneration.

Principal Investigator:
Wayne Solley, MD (Arlington), Ashkan Abbey, MD (Dallas Main)

Study Coordinators:
Melissa Alva (Arlington), Ashley Hughes, COT (Dallas Main)

Office Location:
Arlington, Dallas Main

Title: Van-2201

A Phase I study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of KH631 gene therapy in participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Principal Investigator:
Ashkan Abbey, MD

Study Coordinators:
Jessica Flores

Office Location:
Dallas Main

Uveitis

Title: Acelyrin 21103

A Phase IIb pivotal study to evaluate Izokibep in subjects with non-infectious, intermediate-, posterior- or pan-uveitis

Principal Investigators:
Robert Wang, MD

Study Coordinator:
Tara Keesling

Office Locations:
Plano

Title: Leopard

A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension eye drops in uveitic and post-surgical macular edema.

Principal Investigators:
Robert Wang, MD

Study Coordinator:
Tara Keesling

Office Locations:
Plano

Title: Meerkat GR44277

A Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled study to investigate the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of RO7200220 administered intravitreally in patients with uveitic macular edema.

Principal Investigators:
Rene Choi, MD

Study Coordinator:
Marisa Kubacki

Office Locations:
Dallas Main

Title: OPTYK-1

A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESK-001 in patients with active noninfectious intermediate, posterior or panuveitis.

Principal Investigators:
Robert Wang, MD

Study Coordinator:
Tara Keesling

Office Locations:
Plano

Title: TYNI 

The use of two YUTIQ versus sham for treatment of chronic non-infectious intraocular inflammation affecting the posterior segment.

Principal Investigator:
Rene Choi, MD

Study Coordinator:
Tara Keesling

Office Location:
Plano, Dallas Main, Fort Worth, Arlington

About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that test how a medical approach works on people.  They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment is safe and effective in people. Clinical trials are also used to:

  • Learn if a new treatment is more effective and/or has less harmful side effects than the current standard treatment
  • Test ways to more effectively screen for or diagnose a disease earlier
  • Test ways to prevent a disease or condition
  • Determine which medical treatments work best for specific stages of a disease or group of people

Most of the clinical trials at Texas Retina Associates compare a new medical approach to a standard one already in use.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all clinical trials before they begin. Before this approval, scientists perform laboratory tests and studies in animals to test a potential therapy’s safety and efficacy. If these studies show favorable results, the FDA gives approval for the intervention to be tested in humans.

Clinical trials advance through four phases to test a treatment, find the appropriate dosage, and look for side effects. If, after the first three phases, researchers find a drug or other intervention to be safe and effective, the FDA approves it for clinical use and continues to monitor its effects.

All of the clinical trials offered at Texas Retina Associates have gone through a rigorous review process.

What to Expect/Frequently Asked Questions

Who conducts clinical trials at Texas Retina Associates?

Each clinical trial is led by one of our physicians who serves as a Principal Investigator (PI). The research team typically includes this physician as well as one of our research coordinators and an ophthalmic technician. They will guide you through the clinical trial, including exams, treatment, follow up and data collection. The duration of treatment and the required number and frequency of office visits will vary by study, and you will be informed when you consent to participate.

Who can participate in a clinical trial?

Each study has its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. If your Texas Retina Associates physician recommends you for a study, one of our clinical research coordinators will talk to you about the requirements for that specific study and can help determine your eligibility.

What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?

By participating in a clinical trial, you may receive a new, more effective treatment that is not yet available to the public. You are also contributing to the advancement of care and treatment for a particular eye disease or condition. This could have a positive impact on future patients, including family members, who may have the same condition.

How much does it cost?

In many clinical trials, treatment costs are paid for by the study sponsor. In some cases, expenses for treatment of the other eye may also be covered. Costs vary by study and will be explained to you prior to participation.

Will I be compensated for participating in a clinical trial?

Some studies provide participants with compensation for their time and participation. This will vary by study and will be shared with you prior to enrolling.

If the treatment works, can I continue it after the study is over?

This depends upon whether or not the drug has been approved by the FDA. If not yet approved, you cannot continue taking the study drug after the study has concluded. If it is approved by the FDA, it may be possible for you to continue taking it off-label if prescribed by your physician. Your Texas Retina doctor will talk to you about treatment options available to you at the conclusion of the study.

Research Partnerships

In the quest to better understand the root causes and progression of retina diseases as well as to uncover new treatment options, our three founding physicians — Drs. Vaiser, Snyder and Hutton — helped establish the Retina Foundation of the Southwest.

And in 2013, we moved our Dallas Main office to a custom-designed, shared home with the Retina Foundation of the Southwest to provide our patients with more immediate, expanded and direct access to breakthrough treatments and clinical trials. This has allowed us to more quickly and easily translate research from the lab to patient care.

We also partner with pharmaceutical companies, the National Eye Institute, and other retina practices throughout the country to better understand retinal conditions and to study potential new, sight-saving treatment options for our patients.