Research

At California Retina Consultants and Research Foundation, we are currently conducting over 30 different retrospective and prospective studies testing treatments to improve vision for those suffering from diabetic macula edema, dry AMD, wet AMD, and other blinding retinal diseases.

One mission of our practice is to provide patients the opportunity to participate locally in national clinical trials of new treatments for severe retinal diseases. The doctors of California Retina Consultants, have been recognized for their involvement in numerous national and international clinical trials of novel treatments for complications of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and ocular injuries.

Participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. Eligibility for enrollment into a particular trial is determined through a screening process that varies from study to study. Because of the specific nature of your disease, you may not be eligible for participation. If you decide not to participate or are deemed ineligible, the doctors will continue to care for your eyes and provide you with the highest standard of care available.

If you’re interested in learning more about participating in one of our current or upcoming clinical trials, or just have general questions about research related to your particular condition, please give us a call at 805.963.1648.

Clinical Investigators

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Robert Avery, MD
Ma’an Nasir, MD
Dante Pieramici, MD
Alessandro Castellarin, MD
Robert See, MD
Stephen Couvillion, MD
Nathan Steinle, MD
Dilsher Dhoot, MD
Daniel Learned, MD
Nika Bagheri, MD

Director of Research

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Gabriel Gordon, PhD

Research Coordinators

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Jack Giust
Tammy Lauinger
Nancy Castillo
James Cazares, PhD
Kate McKee
Marco Muñoz
Joseph Kraus
Rebecca Carron
Libby Dahlberg

Certified Clinical Research Technicians

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Kelly Avery
Matt Giust
Heather Lancor
Jerry Smith
Aimee Shook
Nancy Gutierrez

Clinical Trials

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Ongoing Clinical Research Trials

Diabetic Retinopathy

Protocol W – Anti-VEGF Treatment for Prevention of PDR/DME

DRCR AC – Phase IV Intravitreal Aflibercept vs Bevacizumab and deferred Aflibercept for DME

DRCR W – Phase IV Intravitreal anti-VEGF for prevention of DR

KESTREL – Phase III intravitreal injection of Brolucizumab for DME

OPT-302-1003 – Phase Ib/2a Intravitreal injection of OPT-302 + aflibercept for DME

RHINE – Phase III Intravitreal injection of bi-specific antibody for patients with DME

ROBIN – Phase IIa orally administered BI1467335 for DR with center-involved DME

Dry AMD

RPT Stem Cell -Study of Subretinal Implantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells in Advanced Dry AMD

APL2-103 – Phase Ib Safety evaluation of APL-2 in patients with GA secondary to AMD

DERBY – Phase III Intravitreal APL-2 for GA secondary to AMD

GALLEGO – Phase II Intravitreal injection of FHTR2163 for GA secondary to AMD

GEMINI – Registry study for subjects with non-central GA associated with dry AMD

ISIS-CS5 – Phase II subcutaneous injection of anti-sense inhibitor for GA secondary to AMD

METforMIN – IST using Metformin to reduce progression of dry AMD

OAKS – Phase III Intravitreal APL-2 for GA secondary to AMD

RPT-14-01 – Phase I/IIA Implantation of hESC-derived RPE for advanced dry AMD

ReCLAIM-2 – Phase II subcutaneous injection of Elamipretide for AMD with GA

Wet AMD

ARCHWAY – Phase III port delivery system with Ranibizumab for wet AMD

LUCERNE – Phase III Intravitreal injection of bi-specific antibody for patients with wet AMD

MERLIN – Phase IIIa Intravitreal injection of Brolucizumab for wet AMD with persistent fluid

OPT-302-1002 – Phase IIb Intravitreal injection of OPT-302+ranibizumab vs ranibizumab for wet AMD

OPTIC – Phase I Intravitreal injection of gene therapy for wet AMD

PANDA – Phase III Intravitreal injection of Conbercept for wet AMD

PORTAL – Open label extension study for port delivery system with Ranibizumab for wet AMD

RGX-314 – Phase I/IIa Surgical injection of gene therapy for wet AMD

TENAYA – Phase III Intravitreal injection of bi-specific antibody for patients with wet AMD

OUTLOOK – Phase III Intravitreal injection of ONS-5010 for CNV secondary to AMD

ALTISSIMO –  Phase IIB intravitreal injection of Long-acting Sunitinib for wet AMD

Other

LUMINA – Phase III intravitreal injection of DE-109 for non-infectious Uveitis

ORION – Phase IIa Intravitreal injection of AR-1105 for RVO

RAPTOR – Phase III Intravitreal injection of Brolucizumab vs aflibercept for ME secondary to BRVO

RAVEN – Phase III Intravitreal injection of Brolucizumab vs aflibercept for ME secondary to CRVO

DRCR genetics – Genetic testing to build a national database for retinal disease

*Protocol AA – wide-field imaging for early detection of NPDR

*Clinical Trials with an asterisk are ongoing, but are no longer open for enrollment.