Clinical research is a branch of medicine that seeks to determine the safety and efficacy of a medical intervention, whether it be medicinal or a medical device. Great Lakes Eye Care has been involved in clinical research since 1993 and has participated in more than 70 clinical trials. 

We have experience with clinical trials focusing on a number of different diseases including glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, thyroid eye disease, macular degeneration and post-surgical inflammation, among others. Through clinical research, we can offer patients a therapy for their disease before it has been approved for commercial use. 

Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary, and should you change your mind after signing up, you can withdraw from a study at any time, for any reason, and your ability to receive medical care here with your provider will not be affected. Participation usually involves exploring your medical history, some additional testing and at times, frequent visits to the clinic over a specified period of time. Not every patient interested in participating in a clinical trial is eligible. There are very specific lists of inclusion and exclusion criteria that patients have to meet in order to be enrolled. Sometimes, patients are even paid for their participation in a study. 

We run different clinical trials all year long and they frequently change. If you’d like additional information about clinical research or about what clinical trials we’re currently enrolling or if you’d be eligible, please click “Contact Us” and submit a form.

More information about clinical trial basics can be found here.