What is clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that involves volunteers to test new ways to treat or manage various health conditions. These trials are essential for determining whether new medical strategies, treatments, or devices are safe and effective for use in people. Clinical trials are conducted in phases, each with specific goals, and they follow strict protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of participants.
People volunteer for clinical trials and studies for a variety of reasons, including:
- They want to contribute to discovering health information that may help others in the future.
- Participating in research helps them feel like they are playing a more active role in their health.
- The treatments they have tried for their health problem did not work or there is no treatment for their health problem.
Clinical Trials at Eye Associates
All of our doctors are conducting a number of national clinical trials. These tests promise new treatments and improvements for existing treatments in many important areas of eye care including cataracts, glaucoma, refractive surgery, diabetic eye disease, and dry eyes.
Dr. William J. Flynn is the Research Director and our experienced team of study coordinators and certified ophthalmic technicians work closely with all of our physicians during clinical trials.
Our patient-volunteers participating in these studies may be reimbursed for their time and travel and in some studies may receive eye care and medications at no cost.
Please contact us at 210-424-2584 if you are interested in participating in one of our clinical studies or for more information.
What takes place in a clinical trial?
- Research staff explain the trial in detail, answer your questions, and gather information about you.
- Once you agree to participate, you sign an informed consent form indicating your understanding about what to expect as a participant and the various outcomes that could occur.
- You are screened to make sure you qualify for the trial.
- If accepted into the trial, you schedule a first visit, which is called the “baseline” visit.
- You follow the trial procedures and report any issues or concerns to researchers.
- You may visit the research site at regularly scheduled times for evaluation. During these visits, the research team collects data and monitors your safety and well-being.
- You continue to see your regular physician(s) for usual health care throughout the study.
SOURCE
National Institutes of Health. What Are Clinical Trials and Studies? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials-and-studies/what-are-clinical-trials-and-studies. Accessed August 11, 2024.