What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that examine new treatments not yet available to the public. During a clinical trial, you try treatments as the team at Foothill Eye Institute closely examines your responses.
They track your treatment progress with regular visits as you go through the trial so they can record information about how well the treatment works.
Clinical trials at Foothill Eye Institute test treatments for:
Safety
The team makes sure the treatment you receive is safe and doesn’t cause any harmful side effects. If there are side effects, they compare them to any side effects that come with current standard treatments for your condition.
Effectiveness
Another priority of clinical trials is making sure new treatments produce positive results. The team tracks your progress from before treatment until the time you complete the trial.
Can I participate in a clinical trial?
If the team at Foothill Eye Institute is conducting a clinical trial involving your condition, they will talk to you in detail. They go over your medical history, discuss your health, lifestyle, and the severity of your condition. They make sure you fully understand the trial and what it entails.
Foothill Eye Institute conducts clinical trials for treatments targeting eye conditions like:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Keratoconus
- Cornea and external diseases
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal detachment
The Foothill Eye Institute team may have you try other existing treatments that have already been proven before they allow you to participate in a clinical trial. If clinical trials aren’t an option for you, plenty of other treatments and services can improve your ocular health.
What are the benefits of participating in clinical trials?
Clinical trials are a unique way of receiving treatment, and there are benefits of participating in one at Foothill Eye Institute. The team can talk to you about your specific clinical trial in detail, but here are a few general benefits that come with your participation:
- Receiving a treatment before it’s available to everyone
- Contributing to scientific research and advancement
- Assisting others in getting help with the same conditions in the future
- Taking a more active role in your ocular health care
- Getting more frequent and thorough check-ups in follow-up visits related to research
Even if you don’t benefit much from your treatment in the clinical trial, your participation still gives you the opportunity to learn more about your condition and might point you in the direction of other treatments more suitable for you.
To schedule an appointment and learn about ongoing clinical trials at Foothill Eye Institute, call the office or reserve an appointment online today.
