Current Clinical Trials Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Clinical Studies

Clinical trials, also known as clinical studies, apply the scientific method to human health. Essentially, clinical trials combine medical research with patients. Most medical research begins in the laboratory and when that research generates positive results that may benefit patients, the same research is translated to patient applications in the form of clinical trials or studies. Observational studies are those in which individuals are observed and their outcomes are measured by the investigators. Interventional studies are those in which the research subjects are assigned by the investigator to a treatment or other intervention, and their outcomes are measured.

Clinical trials are carried out in three parts, or phases.

• Phase I. Researchers first conduct Phase I trials in small numbers of patients and healthy volunteers. If the new treatment is a medicine, researchers also want to find out how much of it can be given safely.
• Phase II. Researchers conduct Phase II trials in small numbers of patients to find out the effect of a new treatment on an eye disease or disorder.
• Phase III. Finally, researchers conduct Phase III trials to find out whether the new treatments work better, the same, or not as well as the standard treatments already being used. Phase III trials also help to determine if new treatments have any side effects. These trials--which may involve hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people around the country--can also compare new treatments with no treatment.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has a long history of leading, participating in and sponsoring clinical trials to improve patient care.

How can you benefit?