Research Trials
Research is key to the future of Ophthalmology. No where is research so active as in Medical retina disease particularly in Macular degeneration.
This all started in 2000 when Photodynamic Therapy with Vertoporfrin was launched and introduced into the NHS with a novel way via a National Cohort Study that
meant just 50 Units (Including Hillingdon) had to enter all NHS patients having this treatment into an observation study. This meant investment into the NHS services to achieve the trial standards.
Due to the financial success of this drug and then Lucentis has sparked huge investment into the research into macular degeneration. There are literally over a hundred trials on going internationally. New products are being designed by several companies.
Here at Hillingdon with the Research consultant Sheena George we are very active in undertaking research and have a number of Phase III trials of drugs that are about to be launched.
This allows us not only to contribute to the research evidence but also give us experience with new drugs before they are licensed.
Our current recruiting trials are:
Spectri a Phase III trial for Geographic Atrophy using Lampalizumab (recent article in Daily Mail mentioning that Southampton is another site)
Leavo Phase III trial comparing Lucentis and Eylea
Safari Phase IV trial on switching from Eylea to Lucentis
Inject study into Jetrea for vitreomacular traction
Clarity study into Eylea in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Star Stereotactic Radiotherapy for wet macular degeneration
EDNA Early detection of wet AMD
The future of Medical retina is very exciting but it does take a long time to get new drugs properly tested, liceneced and launched.
Newspapers often raise hopes but caution should always be applied to such articles and your consultant will always be able to advise what the practical new developments are.