Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research
The Retina Foundation of the Southwest is an international leader in research and performs groundbreaking clinical trials for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Our multidisciplinary team conducts various types of research to better understand the disease, develop ways to slow the progression, and discover better treatment options. We participate in studies funded by pharmaceutical companies, the National Eye Institute, and our own investigator-initiated studies. Research at the Retina Foundation has led to medical developments to treat children and adults with various eye diseases and conditions.
Additionally, the Retina Foundation collaborates with other research programs, and participates in national and international activities to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AMD.
Participate in a Study
Individuals with AMD are needed to participate in clinical trials for research efforts to move forward in developing treatment options. Anyone that has a diagnosis of AMD and is over the age of 18 years old is welcome to participate in the research studies being conducted at the Retina Foundation. An initial screening process will determine eligibility for participation in one of our AMD studies.
Your participation in a clinical trial is the most valuable contribution you can make towards the development of future treatment options. Dr. Csaky’s team will meet with you to review your eligibility, possible risks, benefits, and the details of participating in a specific trial.
CLINICAL STUDIES WE ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLING FOR:
Boston Image Reading Center, BIRC-01
For detailed information go to clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home: NCT#: 03688243
Research Coordinator: Abigail Christie
Study Title: Non Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration Imaged With Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography
GENENTECH – GALLEGO: GR40973
For detailed information go to clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home: NCT#: 03972709
Research Coordinator: Renee Denlar
Study Title: 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 (GALLEGO)
GYROSCOPE – GTSCOPE
For detailed information go to clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home: NCT#: 03894020
Research Coordinator: Abigail Christie
Study Title: A Study of Disease Progression in Genetically Defined Subjects With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD RYAN INITIATIVE STUDY: ARIS
For detailed information go to clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home: NCT#: 03092492
Research Coordinator: Renee Denlar
Study Title: AMD Ryan Initiative Study (ARIS)
IONIS: ISIS 696844-CS5
For detailed information go to clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home: NCT#: 03815825
Research Coordinator: Kimberly Cummings
Study Title: A Phase 2, Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of Multiple Doses of IONIS-FB-LRx, an Antisense Inhibitor of Complement Factor B, in Patients With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
If you have any questions about clinical trials being conducted at the Retina Foundation, or would like more information, please contact our AMD clinical research staff at amdtrials@rfsw.org. The individual coordinators can also be reached at:
Abigail Christie
214.363.3911, ext. 118
Kimberly Cummings
214.363.3911, ext. 128
Renee Denlar
214.363.3911, ext. 145
The Clinical Center of Innovation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration was supported by an initial $2.5 million dollar grant from the W. W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation at the Communities Foundation of Texas, and an Anonymous $1 million dollar gift. The Clinical Center uses a patient centered approach that involves a referral to the Clinical Center from an eye doctor. Our researchers then communicate the patient’s results from their in-depth vision evaluation back to the referring eye doctor. The eye doctor will follow-up with the patient to implement a future treatment plan based on the results. The Clinical Center is focused on exploring and developing individualized treatment for patients who are in different stages of AMD.
Read about our research initiatives for age-related macular degeneration.
Our researchers are working diligently to find treatments. Funding for this research is a crucial part of discovering treatments.
Our researchers are working to develop a drug delivery device for patients with AMD. It is a small Polymer device that slowly releases therapeutic drugs as needed over a period of weeks, months or years as prescribed by your physician.
Age-related macular degeneration can be detected in a routine eye exam. One of the most common early signs of macular degeneration is the presence of drusen — tiny yellow deposits under the retina — or pigment clumping. Research is looking at the role drusen degeneration plays in AMD.
Read the stories about our advances in research and learn about the successes of the people who are impacted by the sight-saving research at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest.
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September 26, 2019 Ruvanthi Kularatne, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, working under the direction of Karl Csaky, M.D., Ph.D., Managing & Medical Director. Dr. Kularatne has spent the past year evaluating the effectiveness …
August 2, 2019 Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has multiple stages of progression. The “dry” form is characterized by yellow deposits called drusen, that grow in size and number, leading to dimmed or distorted vision. There are currently no treatments for …
