Patient Information
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Eye Conditions
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Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation or irritation of the clear mucous membrane lining the inner eyelids and sclera called the conjunctiva.Artificial Cornea
When a natural cornea transplant is not an option, artificial corneas may work.Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common inflammatory condition that typically affects the eyelids, but can secondarily involve the cornea and conjunctiva.Cataracts
Appearing as cloudy areas in the eye’s lens, cataracts cause loss of vision and eventually blindness.Chronic Conjunctivitis, Varieties of
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the eye. Conjunctivitis that persists for four or more weeks is considered chronic.Corneal Disease
Wilmer specialists diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and injuries to the cornea such as infections and scratches.Diabetic Retinopathy
This common complication of diabetes can cause swelling of the retina (macular edema) and mild to moderate blurring of vision.Dry Eye/Sjögren’s Syndrome
Characteristic symptoms include sandy or burning sensation, discomfort, blurred vision, and redness of the eye that progress as the day goes on.Episcleritis
Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the episcleral tissue between the conjunctiva and the sclera (the white part of the eye) that occurs in the absence of an infection.Eye Infections
Physicians treat viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections of the eye and potentially serious complications of allergies and infections.Eye Tumors
Affecting vision, tumors usually arise as retinoblastoma in children and melanoma in adults.Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
Fuchs endothelial dystrophy is genetic it specifically affects the front surface of the eye (cornea). The pumping cells become dysfunctional and causes corneal swelling. as a result the individual loses the ability to see details (visual acuity) and become sensitive to bright lights.Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of disorders in which vision is progressively lost, most often without symptoms noticed by the affected person over a period of years.Inflamed and Irritated Eyes
Includes conditions Allergic and Chronic Conjunctivitis, Blephartis, Episcleritis, Keratitis (Corneal Ulcers), Ocular Citatrical Pemphigoid/Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Pterygium, Scleritis, and Stevens-Johnson SyndromeKeratitis (Corneal Ulcers)
Keratitis is an inflammation or irritation of the cornea (the transparent membrane covering the iris and pupil) characterized by typical symptoms of red eye, foreign body sensation, pain, sensitivity to light, watery eyes, and blurred vision.Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory eye (ocular) condition characterized by progressive changes of the shape of the cornea. The cornea is the thin-walled, “dome-shaped” transparent region forming the front of the eyeball; it serves as a protective covering and helps to focus or bend (refract) light waves onto the retina at the back of the eye.
Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation
Low Vision, caused by a variety of diseases, is a collective term for vision loss that cannot be reversed by glasses, medication, or surgery.Macular Degeneration
Not easily detectable, macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe, permanent vision loss in Americans over 50.Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism
Difficulty in seeing objects close-up, far away, and other blurry vision is caused by irregular eyeballs.Ocular Citatrical Pemphigoid/Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare, inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by blistering lesions that affect the mucous membranes of the body, especially the mouth and the eyes.Pterygium
A pterygium is a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva (the surface tissue of the white of the eye) that extends onto the cornea.Scleritis
Scleritis, similar to episcleritis in terms of appearance and symptoms, is usually much more painful and can lead to vision loss due to progressive inflammation of the ocular tissues.Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a disorder that causes painful blisters and lesions on the skin and mucous membranes and can cause severe eye problems.Strabismus & Amblyopia
(deviated eyes), amblyopia (known as “lazy eye”). -
Questions to ask your doctor or the researcher conducting the research study
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- What is the purpose of the research?
- Who is doing the study?
- Is there any cost to me?
- How long will the study last?
- What kinds of tests and exams will I have to take while I’m on the study? How long will they take?
- What other treatment choices do I have? How do they compare with the treatment being studied?
- Is it possible I will receive a placebo? (A placebo is a pill that contains no medicine). Are there risks? If so, what are they and what are the chances they will occur?
- Can I stop participating if I change my mind?
- Whom do I contact for answers to my questions?
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Phases of Medical Research
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Medical research studies are classified into a few different phases. Each phase has a different focus, but all work towards the goal of finding a new or improved treatment. These phases include:
- Phase 1 Research Studies – In Phase 1, a new drug or treatment is tested on a small group of people — usually about 20 to 80. The new treatment has already been tested for safety in the lab and in animals, and has shown to have good potential for helping humans. It has also been submitted to a government regulatory agency and approved for use in human testing. The purpose of this phase is to find out if the treatment is safe for humans, and if so, how much should be given and how often the medication should be dosed per day. Those who participate in Phase 1 Studies are watched very closely (usually requires overnight stays), and the researchers record and evaluate any side effects that may happen after individuals have taking the study drug.
- Phase 2 Research Studies – In Phase 2, a larger group of people receives the drug or treatment. There can also be a placebo group that does not receive the new investigational medication or treatment. The main purpose of this phase is to find out whether or not the new treatment is actually effective in treating the patient’s disease or medical condition. The safety of the drug or treatment continues to be studied in this phase, and any side effects are carefully documented and reviewed.
- Phase 3 Research Studies – A larger group of people are involved in Phase 3 studies. Those who participate in Phase 3 are usually randomly assigned to different groups. In one group, up to a few thousand people will receive the new treatment. Another group receives the standard treatment for the same medical condition, or receives a placebo. This is called the “control” group. The side effects and treatment success in people receiving the new treatment are compared to those in the control group. This helps the researches know if the new treatment is really safer and more effective. During this phase, researchers will continue to collect information about side effects, and also study how often the condition returns and the effects of the treatment on the patient’s quality and length of life. After Phase 3 studies are completed, a new medicine or device may be submitted to the FDA or other governing agency to be reviewed and considered for approval.
- Phase 4 Research Studies – Once a new treatment has been approved, there may be additional clinical studies performed. These are called Phase 4 studies. These studies are conducted for a number of reasons. One of these is to find out how effective the treatment is in different groups of people — such as those of the same race or age group. Another is to see if the treatment can be more effective if administered in a different fashion. For example, a pill can be changed to a topical cream for a more direct approach to muscle/joint pain. Information is also gathered about long-term effects of the treatment.
QUICK LINKS
ClinicalTrals.gov
A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
