Active Studies

Active Glaucoma Studies

Please email clinicaltrials@deverseye.org for more information.

Allergan 092: Our second study is also looking for patients with Open Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in both eyes who are currently taking eye drops to lower the intra-ocular pressure in both eyes, and have not had any glaucoma surgeries in either eye. This is a two-year study, with 24 visits looking at two-dose strengths of a glaucoma medication that is put in the eye. This is a large worldwide study.

Functional Testing for Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a slowly progressing disease resulting in the loss of retinal ganglion cells and subsequent loss of vision. Results from the tests used to assess how well one can see vary greatly from day to day, so that it can take several years to accurately determine whether vision is getting worse. This study aims to improve this functional testing by evaluating different algorithms that could enable us to make more reliable measurements in less time.

You may qualify if you:

• Have been diagnosed with glaucoma
• Still have reasonable vision (no worse than 20/40)
• Have not been diagnosed with other eye diseases
• Are able to come in for two office visits of around one hour each within a few weeks of each other
• Meet other technical study parameters

Active Cornea Studies and Humanitarian Use Device Procedures:

Please contact Zach Mayko at 503-413-8377 or zmayko@deverseye.org for further information.

Corneal Preservation Time Study (CPTS):  The CPTS study is an evaluation of corneal tissue preservation and storage time. Any time human tissue is transplanted or donated it is an incredibly valuable gift. As stewards of this gift, it is important that we take advantage of its donation and make sure that it is used in the most efficient way possible. Safely being able to store tissue for a longer time greatly improves the tissue available for transplant. This study was developed by Case Western Reserve University and evaluates if there are differences in long term outcomes of corneal transplant procedures when comparing tissue that is preserved for 1-7 days and from 7-14 days. This study is specific to Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) transplants and all surgeons and individuals are blind to storage times.
A full description of the study can be found at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01537393

Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study (DEKS): The DEKS study is an evaluation of corneal transplants, and the success of those corneal transplants with donors who are diabetic or not diabetic. Diabetes is known to alter physiological functions and biochemical processes in the eye. Previous work has shown that donors with diabetes are less likely to be successfully prepared for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) transplant. However, the rates of both diagnosed diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is rising rapidly. This study aims to evaluate the safety in using diabetic donor tissue for corneal transplantation. This study has not yet begun, but will likely begin recruiting within the next 18 months.

Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS): The ZEDS study is an evaluation of the long-term suppressive ability of valacyclovir in order to treat Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO). The study is Multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial of valacyclovir 1000 mg daily versus a placebo effect. This study has not yet begun recruitment.

Functional Testing for Corneal Transplantations:  The ability to clearly read letters on a wall can often be a poor measure for the ‘quality of vision’ someone has. An individual may have blind spots, not see colors as vividly, may experience intense glare, have difficulty seeing at night, or experience ‘halos’ or ‘starbursts’ as normal occurrence. Legacy Devers Eye Institute is conducting its own study to evaluate the quality of vision in patients who have undergone corneal transplantation. We will be evaluating and comparing different kinds of corneal transplantations as well as patient quality of vision before and after transplantation.

Endothelial Keratoplasty Registry (Longest Continuous EK Registry in the Country):  Legacy Devers Eye Institute has been performing corneal transplantations for more than 10 years, and for the majority of that time has been tracking and registering patients in an IRB approved registry. This registry operates in cooperation with Legacy and the local eye bank, Lions VisionGift. This registry has made Devers one of the leading institutes in the country for researching, developing, teaching and performing corneal transplantation.

Corneal Intacs Procedure (Humanitarian Use Device Procedure):  Intacs are half circle rings that are safely placed in the cornea. This procedure is performed in individuals who have slowly or non-progressing corneal ectasia (steepening of the cornea). By implanting these rings, the cornea is returned to a more normal shape and improves visual acuity. This procedure can be performed in individuals with arrested keratoconic development or lasik induced ectasias.