Clinical trials in vision research sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have led to new medications, supplements and methods for disease detection that have saved or improved the eyesight of millions of people. We have been at the forefront of many of these including AREDS, AREDS 2, SCORE, SCORE 2, DRCRnet trials, Pedig pediatric trials, CAPT, and CATT. Many of these trials reveal important data for safe and effective treatments for eye diseases and vision loss.
While CERU serves as the primary clinical research team for DOVS, we actively collaborate studies that can affect the eye in any way. CERU is often involved in clinical trials initiated by departments within the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and extend all across campus, including UW Hospital and Carbone Cancer Center.
CERU provides top imaging and diagnostics technology for most ophthalmology-related trial needs. CERU has decades of experience coordinating trials for Phase I, II, III, and IV studies, anywhere from small, local investigator-initiated trials to large nationwide studies.
Our staff are certified clinical research coordinators with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Our areas of expertise include, but are not limited to; technical assessments and direct patient care, patient education and advocacy, data collection and management, and regulatory compliance.
The CERU is a leading resource for investigator-initiated clinical research projects, clinical trials, education of future generations of clinical researchers, and serves as the liaison for interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
— Dr. Mihai Mititelu, Associate Professor, Medical Director of Clinical Eye Research Unit
Clinical Eye Research Unit Team
Mihai Mititelu
Associate Professor, Medical Director of the Clinical Eye Research Unit
Kelly Boyd
CERU Study Coordinator
Kristine A. Dietzman
Study Coordinator
Brianna C. Julian
CERU Regulatory and Quality Assurance Specialist
Christopher M. Smith
Study Coordinator and Photographer
Nickie J. Stangel
Study Coordinator
Bonnie Verges
Research Technician and Photographer
Darla Coullard
Study Coordinator, ERG specialist
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Status: Active: Recruiting
ARIS
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Ryan Initiative Study (ARIS). Enhancing the understanding of the natural history of early AMD and RPD.
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
GALLEGO
A Phase II, Multicenter, Randomized, Single-Masked, Sham-Controlled Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Intravitreal Injections of FHTR2163 in Patients With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
PULSAR
Randomized, Double-Masked, Active-Controlled, Phase 3 Study of the Efficacy and Safety of High Dose Aflibercept in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Pulsar).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
OAKS
Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal APL-2 Therapy With Sham Injections in Patients With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) APL2-304 OAKS
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
DERBY
Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal APL-2 Therapy With Sham Injections in Patients With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration APL2-303 (DERBY).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
NORSE
A clinical effectiveness, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, controlled study of the efficacy and safety of ONS-5010 in subjects with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (NORSE).
Read MoreChoroidal Melanoma
Status: Active: Recruiting
AURA
A Phase 2 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 (Aura).
Read MoreCornea
Status: Active: Recruiting
Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS)
A multi-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial of suppressive valacyclovir for one year in immunocompetent study participants with an episode of dendriform epithelial keratitis, stromal keratitis, endothelial keratitis, and/or iritis due to Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) in the year prior to enrollment.
Read MoreDiabetic Macular Edema
Status: Active: Recruiting
PHOTON
A Randomized, Double-Masked, Active-Controlled Phase 2/3 Study of the Efficacy and Safety of High-Dose Aflibercept in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema (PHOTON).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
YOSEMITE
A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked, Active Comparator-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of RO6867461 in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema (YOSEMITE).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
KESTREL
A Two-year, Three-arm, Randomized, Double-masked, Multicenter, Phase III Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab Versus Aflibercept in Adult Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Diabetic Macular Edema (KESTREL).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
KINGFISHER
A 12-Month, 2-Arm, Randomized, Double-Masked, Multicenter Phase III Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab vs. Aflibercept in Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Diabetic Macular Edema (KINGFISHER).
Read MoreInherited Retinal Diseases
Status: Active: Recruiting
SOLSTICE
A Long-term Follow-up Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Retinal Gene Therapy in Subjects with Choroideremia Previously Treated with Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Encoding Rab Escort Protein-1 and in Subjects with X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Previously Treated with Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Encoding RPGR in an Antecedent Study (Solstice)
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
AGTC B3
A Multiple-Site, Phase 1/2, Safety and Efficacy Trial of a Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Vector Expressing CNGB3 (rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3) in Patients with Congenital Achromatopsia Caused by Mutations in the CNGB3 Gene (AGTC B3)
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
AGTC A3
A Multiple-Site, Phase 1/2, Safety and Efficacy Trial of AGTC-402, a Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Vector Expressing CNGA3, in Patients with Congenital Achromatopsia Caused by Mutations in the CNGA3 Gene (AGTC A3)
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
Pro-EYS
Rate of Progression in EYS Related Retinal Degeneration (Pro-EYS). This study will help to gain a better understanding of the natural history of retinal degeneration associated with biallelic pathogenic mutations in the EYS gene.
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
STAR
A Randomized, Open Label, Outcomes-Assessor Masked, Prospective, Parallel Controlled Group, Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of Retinal Gene Therapy For Choroideremia Using An Adeno-Associated Viral Vector (AAV2) Encoding Rab Escort Protein 1 (REP1) (STAR).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
NIGHT
Natural History of the Progression of Choroideremia Study (NIGHT). This study will help to gain a better understanding of the progression of choroideremia (CHM) and add to the knowledge base for this rare disease.
Read MorePediatrics
Status: Active: Enrollment Closed
Pedig IXT1
PEDIG ~ Intermittent Exotropia Study 1: A Randomized Trial of Bilateral Lateral Rectus Recession versus Unilateral Lateral Rectus Recession with Medial Rectus Resection for Intermittent Exotropia.
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
ATS20
Binocular Dig Rush Game Treatment for Amblyopia (ATS20)
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
CHAMP
A 3-Arm Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study of NVK-002 in Children With Myopia (CHAMP).
Read MoreRetinal Vein Occlusion
Status: Active: Recruiting
RAPTOR
An Eighteen-Month, Two-Arm, Randomized, Double Masked, Multicenter, Phase III Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab Versus Aflibercept in Adult Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (RAPTOR)
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
RAVEN
An Eighteen-Month, Two-Arm, Randomized, Double Masked, Multicenter, Phase III Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab Versus Aflibercept in Adult Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (RAVEN).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Enrollment Closed
SCORE2
Study of Comparative Treatments for Retinal Vein Occlusion 2 (SCORE2). This study will determine if bevacizumab is non-inferior to aflibercept for the treatment of macular edema associated with CRVO, with the primary outcome of visual acuity measured at 6 months.
Read MoreUveitis
Status: Active: Recruiting
LUMINA
A Phase III, Multicenter, Sham-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Masked Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Injections of 440 μg DE-109 for the Treatment of Active, Non-Infectious Uveitis of the Posterior Segment of the Eye (Lumina).
Read MoreStatus: Active: Recruiting
GILEAD
A Phase 2, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Filgotinib in Subjects with Active Noninfectious Uveitis (Gilead)
Read More
Indisputably, our most important role is to guide patients through the treatment of their difficult eye condition, offering them not only the most current medical techniques and treatments, but also compassionate and knowledgeable care committed to protecting their safety.
— Jennie Perry-Raymond, Clinical Trials Administrator
Archived list of past clinical trials over the last 50 years as a leader in ophthalmic research is forthcoming.
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