The department of ophthalmology is currently recruiting patients for the following clinical studies:

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study
• Blepharitis or Meibomian Gland Disfunction
• Farsighted vision
• Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Study
• Macular Degeneration Drug Study
• Pediatric Glaucoma
• Meibomian Keratoconjunctivitis

To be eligible for participation in a study, you must meet the criteria for the specific study and live in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. If you have any questions about these studies please call one of our study coordinators or ophthalmologists at the number listed below.

To learn more about what to expect if you participate in a clinical trial in ophthalmology, visit the National Eye Institute's web site.

Age-related macular degeneration study with nutritional supplements (AREDS2 Study)

The major goal of AREDS2 is to learn what role nutritional pills with lutein and zeaxanthin and/or omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), play in preventing or slowing the development of AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, yellow and orange pigments found in many fruits and vegetables including corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, tomatoes and dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collards. Lutein and zeaxanthin may play a role in eye health. Both are present in high levels in the retina and lens of the eye. DHA and EPA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil. DHA is essential for normal brain and eye development. DHA can be found in high amounts in the rods and cones of the eye. The rods and cones receive and process information we use to see.

An additional goal of the study is to learn whether forms of the AREDS nutritional supplement with reduced zinc and/or no beta-carotene will work as well as the original pill in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD.

People who have either of the following may be eligible for AREDS2:

• AMD in an intermediate stage (large drusen) in both eyes
• AMD in an intermediate stage (large drusen) in one eye and AMD in an advanced stage in the second eye

To learn more, please contact the study coordinator @ 214-645-2016 or go to website http://www.areds2.org

Top

Blepharitis or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Study

We are looking for people with blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction to study an eye drop under investigation. Symptoms of blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction include:

• Burning or stinging
• Frequent styes or eyelid infections
• Feeling that something is in your eye
• Sandy or gritty eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent blinking
  • Sensitivity to light

If you experience these symptoms, or have been told by a doctor that you have a problem with eyelid oil glands, you may be eligible to participate in a study of an investigational eye drop to treat meibomian gland dysfunction. Study participants receive at no cost:

• Eye exams related to the study
• Medication (the eye drops being investigated)
• Laboratory tests and results

Financial compensation for time and effort is available. Contact Dr. James McCulley or Mike Molai at 214-648-4734 for more information.

Top

Correction of Farsighted Vision

If you are farsighted, you may qualify for a clinical trial now in progress. Our doctors are studying whether a very small lens placed inside the cornea (the front of the eye) will reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. The Intracorneal Lens is manufactured by Anamed, Inc.

Note: Farsightedness is not the same condition as presbyopia, the need for reading glasses. See our glossary for definitions of farsightedness and presbyopia.

Participants must be 21 or older. To learn more, call Janie Burroughs, research coordinator, at 214-648-4842. You must have your glasses prescription available when you call.

Top

Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Study

The eye disease Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) affects the innermost layer of the 3 layers of the cornea, called the “endothelium”.

In the endothelium you’ll find thousands (depending on your age) of little “pumper” cells that pump the water out of the eye. When you have FECD those little “pumper” cells die. When they die, they don’t replace themselves, but swell and create “bumps” called “gutatta” of “guttae.” The result is that the more cells that have died in the cornea, the blurrier and “hazier” the vision is. In addition, because the cornea is the “window of the eye” and assimilates the light that comes in, the more advanced the dystrophy is, the harder it is for your eyes to handle light. That is why many people with FECD are “blinded” by car headlights at night, and have difficulty identifying people when the light is behind the person they are viewing. People with FECD often find that things look blurry, with a “ghost-like” blur to the image.

If you are interested in participating in a national study that explores how FECD runs in families, please contact: Nikki Riley, research coordinator, at 214-645-2015 or nicole.riley@utsouthwestern.edu.

Top

Macular Degeneration Drug Study

AART, the Anecortave Acetate Risk Reduction Trial, is an international Phase III clinical trial for the drug Anecortave Acetate. Our doctors are studying whether the drug stops dry AMD from progressing to the more serious wet AMD in at-risk patients.

To join this study, you must:

• Must be at least 50 years old
• Have a diagnosis of wet AMD in one eye and dry AMD in the second eye
• Be able to visit our clinic every six months for four years
• Never have received medical therapy of any kind for AMD in the eye being studied

To learn more, call Mike Molai at 214-648-4734, or email him at mike.molai@utsouthwestern.edu.

Top

Pediatric Glaucoma Study

Our pediatric ophthalmologists are looking for pediatric patients who are diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. We offer free eye medical care, free study medication and incentives upon the completion of 12-week study with two FDA approved glaucoma eye drops.

Potential patients:

• Must be 1 week to 6 years of age.

• May not respond well to his or her current glaucoma medication.

If interested, call Lin Xu, M.D. at (214) 648-4749 or Theresa Weaver at (214) 456-2506.

Top

Meibomian Keratoconjunctivitis Study

If you have the following symptoms, then you might have blepharitis and/or rosacea: itching, foreign body sensation, tearing, crusting, and redness of the eyes and eyelids along with thickened eyelid margins and redness of the cheeks, forehead and nose.

If you qualify, you will receive:

• Free study-related procedures
• Free eye exam
• Free glaucoma screening
• Study medication at no cost to you
• Payment for participation in the study
• Free parking

You may not participate if:

• You are on antibiotics at the time of enrollment or within two weeks prior to enrollment.
• You are pregnant or nursing.

If you would like to participate in our study of meibomian keratoconjunctivitis, call Mike Molai at 214-645-2020 or at pager number 214-992-8412.

Top