Research
San Antonio Eye Center Clinical Research Department
San Antonio Eye Center is strategically developing the Clinical Research Department with the primary focus of providing the best in patient eye care by strengthening and developing new and existing relationships with study sponsors, regulatory entities, and study patients.
Through clinical research we are committed to furthering our understanding of ophthalmic conditions, their treatment and prevention. Our aim is to go beyond conventional therapies to provide extraordinary care for all patients with vision threatening eye diseases.
Without patients who commit their time to participate in clinical trials, medical advances would not be made and future, effective therapies would be impossible. We applaud all who step forward to make a difference. We encourage patients who may be eligible for a pending or ongoing trial to consider closely the possibility of enrolling in one.
Have You Been Diagnosed With Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension?
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that causes characteristic loss of visual fields and can eventually lead to blindness. A major risk factor for glaucomatous visual field loss is elevated intraocular pressure, or ocular hypertension.
We're currently conducting a research study that tests the effectiveness of an investigational eye drop that helps to reduce ocular pressure in people of Japanese descent.
To qualify for this research study, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Misses/forgets to instill glaucoma drops or has issues with cost of medications being prescribed
- Have a diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT) in both eyes (OAG in one eye and OHT in the other eye is acceptable)
Ongoing Clinical Trials and Studies
Under the direction of our highly skilled physicians, we are conducting clinical trials and studies in:
- Retina
- Glaucoma
- Uveitis
If you would like more information about any one of our studies please email Rolly Chapa at RChapa@saeye.com or Shelby Lambrecht at SLambrecht@saeye.com.
Or call (210) 226-6169 and ask to speak to our Research Coordinators if there is a specific trial you are interested in.
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)
Interested in participating in the PANDA study for newly diagnosed wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD)? If you have been newly diagnosed with wAMD, then you may be aware that it is a leading cause of severe and irreversible vision loss. When left untreated, wAMD can progress and cause damage to the retina, which can eventually lead to scarring and loss of central vision. Participating in the PANDA study is one way for you to assist researchers in their search to discover effective new treatments for wAMD.
What is the purpose of the PANDA study?
Researchers are studying an investigational drug called conbercept to see how safe and effective it is in treating patients with wAMD. They will do this by comparing it to another drug, aflibercept, already widely used by doctors to treat wAMD.
How long will the study last?
We expect that your part in this research will last approximately two (2) years from your Screening visit to the last follow-up visit.
- Screening period: no more than 2 weeks prior to start of study
- Treatment period: 92 weeks
- Scheduled visits every 4 weeks; 26 visits total
- Exit visit at Week 96
What can i expect if I decide to participate?
If you are enrolled in the study, you will be randomly placed into one of 3 groups:
- Investigational drug 0.5 mg group,
- Investigational drug 1.0 mg group, or
- The “control” (established) drug group
During your regularly scheduled visits every 4 weeks, the study doctor will perform various eye exams and administer an injection into your “study eye.” The treatment you receive will depend upon the study group to which you were assigned. Your “study eye” will be determined by the study doctor based on findings from your pre-study Screening.
Will the study cost me anything?
There is no cost to you for the study drug or any study-related procedure or exam.
Can I withdraw from the study if I want?
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may decide not to participate or you may withdraw your participation in the study at any time.
Are there risks if I participate in this study?
Clinical trials are an important part of the research of new medicines. You may be able to help others with wAMD in the future by enrolling in a clinical trial to test an investigational drug. However, your study participation does not come without risks. You could experience one or more side effects when the investigational drug is injected into your study eye, including increased eye pressure, redness in the white part of the eyes, bleeding in the eyes or small specks in your vision. Because conbercept is investigational, and is still under study, all of its side effects may not be known. Your study doctor will review the risks with you, and you will be followed closely throughout the study.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study in which participants are given one or more investigational drugs to see if a certain treatment works, if it works the same or better than other treatments, and if it has side effects.
What is an investigational drug?
An investigational drug is a substance that is being tested in clinical trials. The investigational drug has been approved by the FDA for testing in people, but has not yet been approved for the treatment of wAMD.
Why should I take part in this study?
Pharmaceutical companies use medical research studies like this one to learn more about eye injections in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and to evaluate its potential to be used as a treatment option for the public. The results of this study may provide more information about the safety and efficacy of eye injections using the drug, conbercept. By taking part in this study, you will be making an important contribution to wAMD research.
Who can participate in this study?
You must be at least 50 years old and have newly diagnosed wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) to be eligible to participate in the PANDA study. There are several other requirements, too. Your doctor will go over them with you to see if you’re eligible.
If interested, please contact Rolly Chapa at (210) 226-6169 ext. 1021 (or email RChapa@saeye.com) or contact Shelby Lambrecht at (210) 226-6169 ext. 1009 (or email SLambrecht@saeye.com).