At WashU Medicine in St. Louis, we are at the forefront of advancing eye care through cutting-edge research and innovative clinical trials. Our goal is to improve the lives of patients with eye diseases and disorders by developing new treatments and therapies.
Along with treatment in our ophthalmology clinics, we are also actively involved in clinical research studies. These studies are varied and can be sponsored by industry, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), private foundations, or by our department. Each study is led by a faculty member who has a specific interest in the condition being studied.
Contact our Clinical Trials Team
Our clinical trials office is located in the Washington University Eye Center- Center for Outpatient Health.
For appointments or other questions on ophthalmology clinical trials, please email DOVSClinicalResearch@email.wustl.edu
For research billing and contract questions, please contact Shonda McDaniel shonda@wustl.edu
Are you a Wash U department and your clinical trial needs an eye exam? Please complete this form and we will supply our pricing.
Current Clinical Trials
Explore our ongoing clinical trials and find out how you can contribute to groundbreaking research. Participation in clinical trials is crucial for the development of new treatments and can provide participants with access to advanced care.
Please contact our clinical trials team if you are interested in participating in any of these trials. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.
Industry Sponsored & Currently Recruiting
- CLARITY (PVT-2201-303) Study- James Walsh, MD, PhD- A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Brepocitinib in Adults with Active, Non-Infectious Intermediate-, Posterior-, and Panuveitis
- The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of brepocitinib in participants with active, non-anterior (intermediate, posterior, or pan) non-infectious uveitis (NIU).
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06431373
- Study Website
- SEER-2 (RGN-NK-302) study – Jennifer Enright, MD, PhD – Assessment of the safety and efficacy of 0.1% RGN-259 Ophthalmic Solution for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy
- The objective of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of RGN-259 to placebo for the treatment of Neurotrophic Keratopathy (NK)
- Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disease that occurs as a result of partial or total impairment of trigeminal innervation. The resulting loss of corneal sensitivity (anesthesia) leads to a reduction in lacrimation and a decline in status, metabolism, and mitosis of corneal epithelial cells.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05555589
- ASCENT (RGX-314-3101) Study – Kisha Piggott, MD, PhD – A Randomized, Partially Masked, Controlled, Phase 3 Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of RGX-314 Gene Therapy in Participants with nAMD (ASCENT)
- ABBV-RGX-314 (also known as RGX-314) is being developed as a novel one-time gene therapy for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Wet AMD is characterized by loss of vision due to new, leaky blood vessel formation in the retina. Wet AMD is a significant cause of vision loss in the United States, Europe and Japan, with up to 2 million people living with wet AMD in these geographies alone. Current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies have significantly changed the landscape for treatment of wet AMD, becoming the standard of care due to their ability to prevent progression of vision loss in the majority of patients. These therapies, however, require life-long intraocular injections, typically repeated every four to 12 weeks in frequency, to maintain efficacy. Due to the burden of treatment, patients often experience a decline in vision with reduced frequency of treatment over time. ABBV-RGX-314 is being developed as a potential one-time treatment for wet AMD.
- This randomized, partially masked, controlled, Phase 3 clinical study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABBV-RGX-314 gene therapy in participants with nAMD. The study will evaluate 2 dose levels of RGX-314 gene therapy relative to an active comparator. The primary endpoint of this study is mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ABBV-RGX-314 relative to aflibercept. Approximately 660 participants who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria, will be enrolled into one of 3 arms.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05407636
- Study website
- XEN45 (1924-703-007) study – Erin Sieck, MD – Study to Assess Change in Disease Activity and Adverse Events of Ab Externo Approach for Glaucoma Gel Stent (XEN45) Implantation In Participants Aged 45 Years or Older With Open-Angle Glaucoma
- Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world, second only to cataracts. This study will assess how safe and effective a glaucoma gel stent is when implanted using the ab externo approach. Adverse events and intraocular pressure will be assessed.
- XEN45 is an approved device for the treatment of glaucoma implanted using the ab interno approach (inside the eye). XEN45 implanted using the ab externo approach (outside the eye) is being studied in this study. Approximately 65 participants aged 45 years or older with open-angle glaucoma will be enrolled in this study at approximately 22 sites in the United States.
- All participants will receive XEN45 implanted using the ab externo approach on Day 1 and will be followed for 12 months.
- Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a hospital or clinic. The safety and effect of the gel stent on your glaucoma will be checked by medical assessments and eye examinations.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05411198
Federally sponsored & Currently Recruiting
Clinical Trials Frequently Asked Questions
A clinical study, or clinical trial, is an organized experiment on human participants to answer specific scientific questions. These studies help determine the best ways to treat, diagnose, or prevent diseases by testing new drugs, medical devices, or techniques. They provide crucial data on safety and effectiveness, guiding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in approving treatments.
By participating in an ophthalmology clinical trial, you contribute to our understanding of eye diseases and help improve future treatments.
Advances in medicine come from research, with clinical studies assessing the safety and effectiveness of treatments, and in the U.S., new drugs or devices must be proven safe and effective in these studies before FDA approval. Participating in a clinical trial benefits medical science, can help improve the health of thousands, and provides personal benefits such as access to new treatments, closer medical attention, and typically no-cost medical visits and procedures, with occasional compensation for time and effort.
Each study goes through a rigorous internal review process. This will be explained in the consent form you will be asked to sign if you want to participate in a study.
- Join Washington University’s Research Participant Registry and be matched to ongoing studies.
- StudySearch is an online listing of research studies that are seeking volunteers at Washington University School of Medicine.
- Check out ClinicalTrials.gov – this is a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world.
- Contact our clinical trial team to see what we are currently involved in.
Important Points to Remember
- Clinical Trials Overview: Clinical trials test medical treatments for safety and effectiveness. Participation can benefit medical science and individual health.
- Informed Consent: Before joining a study, you must be given complete information about the study, including potential side effects and benefits, and you must sign an “Informed Consent” agreement. This process protects volunteers and ensures you understand the study’s details.
- Your Rights: Participation is voluntary, and you can leave the study at any time. Informed consent details the study’s purpose, duration, procedures, risks, benefits, alternatives, confidentiality, medical treatments for injuries, and contacts for questions.
- Understanding the Consent Form: The informed consent should be easy to understand. Ask questions if you need clarification, and ensure you comprehend all information before signing. The consent form is not a contract—you can withdraw from the study at any time.
Phases of Drug Development
Tests a new drug or treatment in a small group (20-80 people) to evaluate safety, determine dosage, and identify side effects.
Administers the drug or treatment to a larger group (100-300 people) to assess effectiveness and further evaluate safety.
Involves large groups (1,000-3,000 people) to confirm effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare with standard treatments, and gather safety information.
Conducted after the drug or treatment is marketed to collect additional information on effects in various populations and long-term side effects.