Research

The Macular Degeneration Research and Treatment Center

A Service of VitreoRetinal Surgery, P.A.

Dedicated to providing state-of-the-art treatment of eye diseases that cause vision loss by damaging the macula area of the retina.

About the Center

The Macular Degeneration Research and Treatment Center (MDRTC) is dedicated to advanced clinical research in the effort to find new and more effective treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and related diseases. We offer eligible patients who suffer from these diseases the opportunity to participate in a variety of clinical research trials that may offer access to advanced new treatments not yet available to the general public. A service of VitreoRetinal Surgery, P.A. (VRS), the MDRTC is supported by ten Retina Specialists, a dedicated full-time clinical research staff, and the state-of-theart retina treatment facilities of VRS.

The MDRTC interfaces with the National Eye Institute (NEI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), University Academic Medical Centers, other prominent Retina Specialists, and Industry to identify promising clinical research trials and make them available to eligible patients in Minnesota and the surrounding area.

Proven Experience

Over the last 25 years VRS has participated in over 20 national and international clinical trials for new treatments in macular and retinal diseases. VRS was the leading participant among 40 major retina practices in the United States in the Comparison of AMD Treatment Trial (CATT). VRS has been an active participant in the Harbor Trial, which is studying high dosage Lucentis as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration.

Other national clinical trial opportunities that VRS has brought to our patients have included:

• Diabetic Retinopathy Study
• Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study
• Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study
• Interferon in Macular Degeneration Study
• Submacular Surgery Trials
• Visudyne for Macular Degeneration studies
• Eyetech and Genentech sponsored trials
• Anti-factor D for Dry Macular Degeneration

About VitreoRetinal Surgery, P.A.

The Macular Degeneration Research and Treatment Center is the research division of VitreoRetinal Surgery, P.A. (VRS), one of the largest groups of physicians specializing in diseases of the macula, retina, and vitreous. The physicians of VRS have over 100 years of cumulative experience in their field, have authored over 150 scientific articles, hold leadership positions in national and international professional organizations, and have been involved in research on the treatment of a variety of macular and retinal diseases since 1978.

Click here to download the brochure.

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Clinical Trials

The physicians of VRS are committed to further the advancements of treatment of vitreoretinal disorders.  Our practice has been, and continues to be, an active participant in local and national clinical research studies working on the leading causes of retina-related vision loss.

Current enrolling trials

TG-MV-005- Injection of Ocriplasmin for pts with macular traction and AMD, to show if a PVD will increase the effectiveness of Anti-VEGF treatments. Va 20/32-20/200 

Santen Trial –Non infection Uveitis trial with the use of Sirolimus. VA  20/400 or better

In follow up:

MAHALO trial- Geographic Atrophy ou Phase II 20/50-20/400

REGRESS trial-Combination of Lucentis and Ophthotech drug for Naiive minimally classic/Classic lesion. Va 20/63-20/200

CATT- Comparison of Age related Treatment Trials. 2 Year trial, comparing Avastin and Lucentis for patients with macular degeneration.

HARBOR- Sponsored by Genentech- Treatment of wet macular degeneration with either Lucentis or high dose of Lucentis for patients that have not been previously treated for macular degeneration is the study eye.

SHORE- Ranibizumab injections for 7 months then either PRN or Fixed for RVO with Macular edema.

Please contact our Research Department with any questions.

Neal (noestreich@vrssurgery.com) or Julie (jenloe@vrssurgery.com)

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