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 WashU Medicine department and your clinical trial needs an eye exam? Please email DOVSclinicalResearch@email.wustl.edu 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
AU-011-301- A Phase 3- Kisha Piggott, MD, PhD- Randomized, Masked, Controlled Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Belzupacap Sarotalocan (AU-011)
- Treatment Compared to Sham Control in Subjects with Primary Indeterminate Lesions or Small Choroidal Melanoma
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06007690
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
Federally Sponsored & Currently Recruiting
Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Prospective, Interventional Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study – Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD
- AMD is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over 50 years old, with dry AMD being the most common form. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced stage of dry AMD characterized by progressive retinal cell degeneration. The primary objectives of the study are to assess the safety, tolerability, and evidence of activity of SGLT2 inhibitors in subjects with Geographic Atrophy associated with AMD.
Project Title: Noninvasive Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography as a Predictive Tool for Development of Preeclampsia: A Prospective Cohort Study – Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD
- This prospective study aims to evaluate whether optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)—a noninvasive imaging technology typically used in eye care—can serve as a biomarker for predicting preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage. If successful, this work could help identify at-risk patients earlier and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.
Project Title: Outcomes of Refractive Surgery for ASD- Margaret M. Reynolds, MD
- The purpose of this research study is to see if improved visual acuity correlates with improvement in the phenotype of your sensory or behavior condition, i.e., autism spectrum disorder or autism spectrum-like disorder.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11347953/
Project Title: Outcomes of Strabismus surgery for ASD– Margaret M. Reynolds, MD
- The purpose of this research study is to see if undergoing Strabismus surgery to align the muscles of the eye correlates with improvement in the phenotype of your sensory or behavior condition, i.e., autism spectrum disorder, Trisomy 21, or autism spectrum-like disorder.
Project Title: Description of visual function among WUNDER cohort– Margaret M. Reynolds, MD
- The purpose of this research study is to evaluate and understand the visual functions among children who were born very prematurely. Children born prematurely can have visual comorbidities.
- This study aims to describe visual morbidity experienced by these children and correlate findings with their already obtained MRIs.
Project Title: A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Fenofibrate for Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy Worsening (Protocol AF)– Rithwick Rajagopal, MD, PhD
- The study is being done to find out more information on whether a pill taken by mouth can slow or prevent the worsening of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is damage to the blood vessels on the surface of the retina due to high blood sugar. The retina is the back part of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy can eventually affect vision.
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04661358
Project Title: Genetics in Retinal Diseases Project (Protocol GEN)- Rithwick Rajagopal, MD, PhD
- The study is being done to better understand how genetics might be associated with Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and other retinal diseases.
- Blood samples will be collected from people in DRCR Retina Network research studies. The blood sample will be used to extract DNA, a substance that contains your unique genetic information
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.