Clinical trials are the foundation of virtually all medical progress, and a vital step in research that helps experts better understand how best to treat patients with certain conditions or diseases. As such, clinical trials can be purely observational, or conducted in an effort to discover new drugs, surgical techniques, implantable devices and cutting-edge therapies. Participation in clinical trials is always completely voluntary, and patient care is of the utmost importance. Safety and ethics are a top priority, and all studies are conducted following strict guidelines which are closely overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and subject to audit by other safety regulatory agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about how clinical trials are run, especially at our site, visit our research center page.

Each clinical trial has eligibility criteria that must be met on who may participate, with criteria often based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease or condition, previous treatment history, or other medical considerations. Participation is always voluntary and patients must be thoroughly informed of all study details, including possible benefits and safety concerns. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a research patient, please contact the Research Center at (970) 828-4164 or researchreferrals@sweyeconsultants.com, or speak with your Southwest Eye doctor at your next appointment. Please note that you do not need to be a current patient of Southwest Eye to participate!

As a clinical research participate, you may gain access to cutting-edge, investigational treatments, new medicines, and/or medical devices before they are widely available to the public. Many participants see volunteering as a way to take a more active role in their own health, and learn more about their condition. Clinical trials are conducted under strict protocols which involves close monitoring by our team of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic professionals, who are experts in our field. This meticulous observation provides valuable insights for the study, but also for the participants health status and ensure any changes are detected early and addressed.

Another draw that is more altruistic, is that volunteers are contributing actively to medical advancement, in conditions that don't just affect them. Without their participation, the development of new medicines, devices, and treatment guidelines would come to a standstill. Participating in clinical trials helps researchers prevent, treat or cure diseases to the benefit of future generations and patients with similar conditions, all over the world.

Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary, and free. The patient burden for these appointments is taken into consideration and subsidized by the variety of organizations that sponsor clinical trials. Specifics are always completely transparent as part of the informed consent process, and these sponsors can include physicians, medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and foundations.

For our regularly updated, complete list of active studies, please visit our current research page. Though we are conducting many trials, not all are currently enrolling new patients, so please don't hesitate to contact our team at (970) 828-4164 or researchreferrals@sweyeconsultants.com, or speak with your Southwest Eye doctor at your next appointment.