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.

Gabriel Gordon, PhD Director of Research
Gabriel Gordon, PhD Director of Research

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


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


Gabriel Gordon, PhD

Research Coordinators


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

Certified Clinical Research Technicians


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

Clinical Trials


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

LUMINAPhase 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.

Closed Clinical Trials

Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Trials (National Eye Institute):

  • Aflibercept, Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab Comparison for Diabetic Macular Edema Study (Protocol T)
  • Genes in Diabetic Retinopathy Project

EVADE -Variable Interval Versus Set Interval Aflibercept for DME

*ERASER -Performance Assessment Tests in Working Individuals With DME Following Treatment With Ranibizumab

DIME -Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant for the Treatment of Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema

*Protocol S -PRP vs Bevacizumab for PDR Treatment

Protocol U -Phase II Combination Steroid and Anti-VEGF for Persistent DME

Protocol V -Treatment for CI-DME in Eyes With Very Good VA Study

BOULEVARD -A Phase 2 Study of RO6867461 in Participants With Center-Involving Diabetic Macular Edema (CI-DME)

DEL MAR -A Phase 2 Randomized, Controlled, Double-Masked, Multicenter Clinical Trial Designed to Evaluate the Safety and Exploratory Efficacy of Luminate® (ALG-1001) as Compared to Avastin® and Focal Laser Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

National Ophthalmic Disease and Genotyping and Phenotyping Network (eyeGene)

Ranibizumab (Lucentis) Plus FoVista for Wet AMD (Ophthotech Pharmaceuticals)

Intravitreal Injection of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Wet AMD (Santen Pharmaceuticals)

Ranibizumab (Lucentis) Plus Squalamine Lactate Ophthalmic Solution for Wet AMD (Ohr Pharmaceuticals)

Ranibizumab and Avastin for Wet AMD 5-year Follow-up Study (CATT: National Eye Institute))

2 Pathway Activator for Diabetic Macular Edema (Aerpio Therapeutics)

COMFORT -Assessment of Comfort Level Following an Intravitreal Injection by 30 or 32 Gauge Needles

*EXPOSURE -A Study of Lampalizumab Intravitreal Injections Administered Every Two Weeks or Every Four Weeks to Participants With Geographic Atrophy

*Factor D -A Study Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Lampalizumab Intravitreal Injections in Participants With Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration(CHROMA)

*OLEi – Open label extension for EXPOSURE/MAHALO studiesD

AVENUE – A Proof-of-Concept Study of RG7716 in Participants With Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

*Opthea -Study Evaluating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of OPT-302 With or Without Lucentis™ in Patients With Wet AMD

 CEDAR -A Safety and Efficacy Study of Abicipar Pegol in Patients With Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

ONYX -Anti-angiOpoeitin 2 Plus Anti-vascular eNdothelial Growth Factor as a therapY for Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration: Evaluation of a fiXed Combination Intravitreal Injection (ONYX)

LADDER -Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the Ranibizumab Port Delivery System for Sustained Delivery of Ranibizumab in Participants With Subfoveal Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

*VAPOR -A Safety and Efficacy Study of DE-120 Injectable Solution for Age-related Macular Degeneration

*FOVISTA -A Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Fovista® (E10030) Intravitreous Administration in Combination With Lucentis® Compared to Lucentis® Monotherapy

PEACHTREE – Uveitis – Suprachoroidal Injection of CLS-TA in Subjects With Macular Edema Associated With Non-infectious Uveitis

*PACIFIC -A Clinical Trial Designed to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy Study of Luminate® in Inducing PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

NORRIN – Genetic testing for a local database

ARK -Analysis of Aqueous and Vitreous Humor