Southwest Retina Research Center Durango, Colorado
Contributing to the Advancement of Medical Treatments
Established in 2018, Southwest Retina Research Center serves the Four Corners area as the region’s only ophthalmic research site. We participate in clinical trials for new investigational treatments, including gene therapies and implantable devices for disease such as Macular Degeneration (wet and dry), Diabetic Retinopathy, and Glaucoma.
Clinical trials are critical for advancing medical treatment options and ensuring the safety of new drugs and devices. Some studies, called observational studies, collect long-term data on the progression of a disease to learn more about the disease itself, but do not test any new treatments.
The goal of ophthalmic clinical research is to find new, better ways for patients to retain their vision, and help researchers better understand how to diagnose, treat and prevent these diseases.
Safety Every Step of the Way
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversees all research conducted by Southwest Retina Research Center to protect the rights, privacy, and welfare of all participants. Our staff maintains current regulatory training certifications to ensure compliance with the U.S. FDA, ICH E6(R3) Good Clinical Practice principles, and ISO 14155:2020 standards. These measures help ensure that every study we conduct follows the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report – respecting each individual, minimizing risk, and seeking benefits for both our volunteer participants, and the future of medicine.
What are the Phases of Clinical Trials?
Just like the name implies, these studies watch patients as their disease progresses over time, but do not test any new treatments. Some Observational studies may use genetic testing to help researchers understand if there is a genetic component to the disease under study.
In Phase I studies, a new treatment is tested after having undergone extensive laboratory and animal testing, and in some cases, limited earlier human research. At this phase, a small group of participants are very closely monitored for any side effects, and information is gathered on how the drug/device interacts in the body. While early indicators of effectiveness may be observed, the main purpose of this phase is to establish whether the treatment is safe for people.
If the Phase I trial is successful the treatment moves to Phase II, where it is testing in a larger group of participants. Phase II studies continue to gather information about the safety and side effects of a treatment, while beginning to assess how well the treatment works. Researchers gather additional data to refine dosing, and further understand the treatment’s potential effectiveness.
Even more participants are enrolled in Phase III studies as more is known about the safety of the treatment. This larger group of participants in this phase helps researchers detect any side effects that may have gone unnoticed or not appeared in previous phases. At this phase, researchers aim to determine whether the treatment is beneficial in treating a disease. The experimental treatment is compared to currently available treatment options to determine if it is more effective and offers greater benefit. After successful completion of this phase, the treatment may be reviewed by the FDA for approval.
Once a drug or device has been approved by the FDA, Phase IV studies continue to monitor it’s safety and efficacy for broader use. This Post-Market Safety Monitoring provides additional information about long-term effects, optimal use, and potential rare side effects.
Interested in learning more?
At Southwest Retina Research Center, we conduct Phases I-IV clinical trials as well as observational studies. Over the years, the Research Center has participated in over 20 different clinical trials for various drugs and devices in different treatment areas. We have seen several treatments from studies we participated in gain FDA approval and become commercially available. Participation in clinical research means contributing to the advancement in knowledge and treatment of certain conditions and diseases, as well as safely gaining access to new, experimental treatment options.
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.
Meeting Minutes
The National Institute of Health implemented a requirement for all relevant International Biosafety Committee minutes to be linked to on our website. Please find the notes regarding our site here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
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.
