Our practice participates in many national and international clinical trials with the purpose of discovering improved therapies for retinal diseases. Each clinical trial is approved by an institutional review board (IRB) prior to initiation. Our physicians also evaluate each clinical trial for safety prior to entering into the trial.
RAWNY participates in a number of clinical trials evaluating the use of pharmaceutical drugs in treating a variety of retinal diseases, such as:
- Wet Macular Degeneration
- Dry Macular Degeneration
- Diabetic Macular Edema
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Retinal Detachment
- Uveitis
Retina Associates of Western NY became interested in clinical trials as a way to advance medicine and to ensure patients had access to cutting edge care. In the last decade, the department has grown exponentially, and as of today we are nearing our 90th trial participation. With studies ranging from 6 months to three years in length, we have maintained an excellent retention rate. This is in part to our Study Coordinators, Mary Jo, Trista and Kyle. Each clinical trial participant is cared for by our dedicated research study team, which includes the study coordinators, photographers, technicians and physicians. Unique to Retina Associates of Western NY is that every visit, from beginning to end, is done within our suite.
We are proud of our legacy. A legacy that allowed us to be a study site that helped bring the current state of the art retinal medications to the market. Our research effectively changed how physicians treat patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration worldwide, and now offers hope where once there wasn’t any. Today, we stand upon the precipice of another potential life altering change. We are participating in an observational trial that has the potential to lead to individualized therapies that further alter the landscape of ophthalmology.
RAWNY named Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research (DRCR) Retina Network’s 2024 Site of the Year
RAWNY has been recognized as the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research (DRCR) Retina Network’s Site of the Year in 2024! The DRCR network, in collaboration with the National Eye Institute (NEI), conducts high quality, collaborative clinical research studies that have revolutionized the treatment approach and quality of life for people with retinal diseases. This huge honor was made possible by the tireless effort and dedication put forth by our amazing clinical research department and support staff, who enrolled over 30 patients in multiple DRCR protocols in 2024. A special thank you goes out to Site Principal Investigator Dr. Edward Hall, Protocol Principal Investigator Dr. Matthew Witmer, Clinical Research Coordinators Mary Jo Doran COA and Trista Buscemi, VA examiners Nick Ghyzel and Mindy Burgess, and ophthalmic photographers Karissa Kuhl, Owen Maloy and Kelly Schmelzer. We would also like to thank the physicians who examine and treat our DRCR study patients every day, as well as the rest of the team at RAWNY for their support. The practice was recognized at the National DRCR meeting in January. Congratulations to the RAWNY research team on this incredible achievement!
L-R: Clinical Research Coordinator Mary Jo Doran, Director of Clinical Trials Dr. Edward Hall, MD, Clinical Research Coordinator Trista Buscemi
What is a Clinical Trial?
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, fill out this form and a clinical trial coordinator will contact you.
