We are absolutely thrilled to announce a monumental milestone in our journey at Retina Associates: the launch of our 100th clinical research trial! This achievement not only underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing medical science but also marks a significant moment in our mission to improve patient outcomes and drive innovation.
Reaching this landmark is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our incredible team. Each trial represents countless hours of research, meticulous planning, and collaboration with researchers, healthcare professionals, and most importantly, the patients who have graciously volunteered to participate in these studies.
Our 100th trial is not just a number; it embodies the progress we’ve made in exploring new treatments, uncovering groundbreaking insights, and addressing unmet medical needs across a range of therapeutic areas. From pioneering new therapies to enhancing existing ones, each trial brings us closer to making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
This tremendous journey began at RAWNY nearly twenty years ago! One of our very first trials was Allergan’s MEAD trial, which evaluated the efficacy of Ozurdex for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. The technology at the time required our photographers to shoot diagnostic clinical trial imaging on Kodak film, which was then processed in the office darkroom and mailed to the sponsor. Nowadays, of course, everything is digital, with near instant processing, sending and response times. As a result of this trial and others, this novel implant medication was FDA-approved for patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and noninfectious posterior uveitis.
Around 2009, RAWNY participated in the VIEW-1 trial which ultimately led to the FDA approval of Aflibercept (Eylea) for AMD. Shortly thereafter, we participated in trials leading to similar approvals of Eylea for DME and RVO. In 2019, we participated in Genentech’s RHINE and TENAYA trials leading to the FDA approval of Faricimab (Vabysmo) in 2022. Vabysmo and Eylea are now among the leading treatments for AMD, DME, and RVO not only in our office, but also all around the world!
As a direct result of our clinical trial involvement, RAWNY has been able to offer many of our patients the most cutting-edge imaging and treatment available in the world. In recent years, we have been fortunate to broaden our scope and include clinical trials exploring the use of gene therapy as well as new surgical therapies. For example, one of our recent trials, sponsored by Gyroscope Therapeutics, examines the safety and efficacy of GT005, a gene therapy treatment for patients with dry AMD (specifically, geographic atrophy) administered as a single subretinal injection in the operating room. RAWNY continues to monitor patient outcomes in this trial, and we are excited about some promising early results. Another exciting trial sponsored by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR) and National Eye Institute (part of the National Institutes of Health) is evaluating the utility of an advanced at-home retinal imaging device which allows patients to have high-tech daily monitoring for disease activity in the comfort of their own home! In June of 2024, RAWNY was named the DRCR/National Eye Institute research center of the month for the entire United States. This is an incredible honor for both RAWNY and our patients!
As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we remain deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and improving the standards of care. We look forward to the many trials to come and the continued opportunity to contribute to the future of medicine.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this remarkable journey—our partners, our dedicated staff, and the patients whose participation is vital to our mission. Here’s to the next 100 trials and beyond, as we continue to preserve and restore vision through innovation and compassion!
Written by Dr. Edward Hall
Contributions by Margaret Whelehan
