
The Adelaide Eye and Retina Centre has become the sixth site to be approved to join a world-first study on the use of nanosecond laser intervention in high-risk, intermediate aged-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The study, chaired by Professor Robyn Guymer, is an investigator-initiated study and is being conducted in collaboration with Ellex R&D Pty Ltd, an Australian manufacturer of laser systems for eye diseases. A nanosecond laser (2RT) has been specially developed to treat retinal diseases including early AMD.
The Adelaide Eye and Retina Centre, with Dr. Jim Runciman named as site Principal Investigtor, has received full ethics committee approval and TGA acknowledgment under a clinical trial notification for the multi-centred, randomised study.
It joins the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) and Heriot Eyecare in Melbourne, Marsden Eye Research in Sydney, the Lions Eye Institute in Perth, and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust/Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Trial sites will continue recruiting participants until the end of 2014 and all subjects will be followed for three years. Participants are seen every six months completing a variety of tests and are retreated as required.
In seeing many patients with early stages of AMD, optometrists can play an important role in the identification of those likely to be suitable for the study.
Please contact the study site in your state or the Coordinating Centre (CERA) for further information on referring patients for the study.