Glaucoma Research

Name: Ophthalmology Associates
Address: 1201 Summit Ave, Fort Worth, TX, 76102, US
Telephone: 817-332-2020
Rating: 4.8

Ophthalmology Associates has helped bring some of the biggest advances in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery to market, often years before they were widely available.

Glaucoma Research and Clinical Trials

Led by Dr. Brian Flowers, our glaucoma research program gives patients access to new medications and surgical techniques well before they reach most practices, often at a reduced cost of care. Below, you can learn more about our current and past clinical trials and find out whether you might be eligible to participate.

Advancing Glaucoma Care Through Research

Participation in ophthalmic research and innovation is an integral part of clinical practice at Ophthalmology Associates. Brian Flowers, M.D. has led an FDA clinical research facility focused on Glaucoma for many years. More cutting-edge, innovative medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma are available here than most major medical academic centers. Research and innovation enhance patient care and allow us to give back to our patients and society.

Because of our excellent glaucoma care, we are sought after for participation in most new projects. However, we are very selective regarding which studies we participate in. We carefully review the evidence that supports the innovation in question. The surgery or medication is often already approved in Europe and/or Canada yet unavailable in the US. This often allows us to evaluate years of experience with a procedure before offering it to our patients.

Patients may choose to participate in studies on new medications, new methods of administering medication to avoid the need for eyedrops, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. We are proud to have helped usher in groundbreaking procedures such as canaloplasty, CyPass, and iStents, with many others soon to come.

Patients are evaluated for our research studies during their regular office visits. Our doctors will let patients know if they qualify for a particular study. Patients are typically eager to participate, as the benefits of being a study candidate are many, including receiving new innovative treatment and reduced cost of care. Most patients receive a stipend for participating in studies, and the study sponsor often covers the cost of office visits. If you are interested in participating, please call our office and ask to speak with our research coordinator.

Current and Ongoing Research Studies

Glaukos iStent Inject

Two iStent inject stents are implanted in the eye during cataract surgery within the natural drainage system. This may help reduce or eliminate the need for eye drops in some patients.

The stents are designed to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further vision loss due to glaucoma.

The clinical trials for the iStent Inject and iStent Supra in conjunction with cataract surgery have been completed and are now being evaluated by the FDA for approval.

_{***There is an ongoing and enrolling trial to evaluate the Glaukos iStent Inject as a stand-alone procedure.}

Glaukos iStent Supra

The iStent Supra procedure consists of placing one stent inside your eye during cataract surgery using the same opening used to remove your cataract.

The iStent Supra stent is placed within a drainage pathway of the eye and is implanted to lower pressure. This is done by creating a channel into one of the existing drainage systems that allows fluid to flow out.

The clinical trials for the iStent Inject and iStent Supra in conjunction with cataract surgery have been completed and are now being evaluated by the FDA for approval.

Ivantis Hydrus

The Hydrus Aqueous Implant, roughly the size of an eyelash, is being tested to see if it can relieve the high intraocular pressure (IOP) common in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

The tiny Hydrus scaffold is designed to be inserted into the eye’s primary fluid canal (called Schlemm’s canal) and open the channel to flow more freely, thus reducing high IOP.

The clinical trial for the Hydrus Microstent in conjunction with cataract surgery has been completed. It is now being evaluated by the FDA and is expected to be approved in late fall 2018.

_{***There is an ongoing and enrolling trial to evaluate the Hydrus micro stent as a stand-alone procedure.}

Transcend CyPass Micro-stent

Transcend Medical has developed micro-stent technology for implanting during cataract surgery in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The CyPass Micro-Stent is a small device implanted just below the eye’s surface.

Acquired in February 2016 by Alcon from Transcend Medical. The FDA approved the Cypass procedure in conjunction with Cataract surgery in August 2016, and it is now available to the general public.

Sight Sciences VISCO360 Procedure in Canaloplasty

Many glaucoma surgeries today drain excess eye fluid, creating a bulge of fluid under the surface of the white part of the eye. This bulge is called a “bleb” and sometimes involves placing a permanent implant. The Visco360 Procedure is a system intended to be used inside the eye to perform a procedure to aid in lowering your intraocular pressure.

The VISCO360 system is designed to help drain excess fluid from the eye without creating a bleb or requiring a permanent implant. The VISCO360 system will inject an approved viscous liquid into a small canal at the front of your eye. This will open the canal to help lower your eye pressure and control your glaucoma.

InnFocus Inc. MicroShunt®

The InnFocus Microshunt is a minimally invasive stand-alone procedure for mild, moderate, and severe stage open-angle glaucoma, with the potential to eliminate eye drop medications in most patients. Unlike many MIGS (micro-invasive glaucoma surgery) technologies, the InnFocus MicroShunt does not require simultaneous cataract removal.

ForSight VISION5/Allergan Ocular Insert

This ocular insert drug delivery system was acquired by Allergan Pharmaceuticals in 2016 and is still undergoing clinical trials for efficacy. It is a noninvasive ocular ring insert that rests on the surface of the eye beneath the eyelid and is inserted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

The ring releases a glaucoma drug and treats glaucoma over multiple months by reducing the pressure in the eye. This type of drug delivery system is preservative-free and helps improve patient compliance since there is no need to administer drops daily.

Eligibility Information

For more information about whether you are an eligible candidate for a research study, talk to your doctor, call the glaucoma research department at Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth at 817-332-2020, or use the form below.

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