Macular research clinical trials

Latest macular disease research

The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) teamed up with MDFA’s webinar series to bring you the latest research updates on age-related macular degeneration – including how you can take part in vision research.

Did you know that one of the world’s top five institutes for ophthalmology research is located right here in Australia?

The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) – an independent medical research institute affiliated with the University of Melbourne and based at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital – is a global leader in vision research.

CERA’s macular research unit features world-leading researchers such as MDFA Research Grant recipients Professor Robyn Guymer, Associate Professor Chi Luu, Dr Luba Robman and Dr Zhichao Wu.

Dr Wu and clinical trial coordinator Tony Pham joined a recent MDFA webinar to discuss the latest research updates on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as CERA’s Synergy High Risk AMD Study: a five-year project that aims to determine the causes and genetic associations of a high-risk form of AMD, reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).

Get involved in macular research clinical trials

As well as the latest on AMD research, the CERA team also explained how you can register your interest in being involved with vision research like the world-leading Synergy High Risk AMD Study.

“The optimum way to get yourself known to us is if you request a referral from your eye care practitioner,” Tony told the MDFA webinar.

“The reason for that is because they [your eye care practitioner] are able to give us a detailed report as to the state of your eyes.

“More often than not they’re able to also give us imaging of the macula particularly, which gives us more information about where we’re looking for high risk features such as reticular pseudodrusen.

“That way we can look for the current studies that we are recruiting for and then marry them up and get them in contact with you.”

Learn more about macular research clinical trials

You can also register your interest in taking part in current or future clinical trials through CERA’s website.

CERA’s website provides more information about what to expect on your journey through a clinical trial as well as an up-to-date list of projects.

There are a number of other organisations that also regularly recruit patients for clinical trials. These include

• Lions Eye Institute
• The Centre for Vision Research, The Westmead Institute
• Adelaide Medical School
• The Save Sight Institute
• Queensland Eye Institute

This is not an exhaustive list of eye research centres. You should speak with your doctor about clinical trials relevant to you.