Clinical Trials Since 1993

Treatment options for wet-AMD and diabetic retinopathy are still being researched and studied.  Lucentis and Avastin have revolutionized the treatment of wet-AMD and Diabetic Retinopathy and prior to 2006, the medication was only available through clinical trials.  In Hawaii, these medications were available as early as 2002 through our research center (almost 4 years before it became FDA approved) through various clinical trials.  Sometimes, research trials can provide additional treatment options, research is not an option for everyone so please talk to us or your doctors if you feel that you might be a candidate for a clinical trial.  All research conducted at our clinic is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board as required by the FDA.

Below is a list of our currently enrolling trials:

• HARBOR: 2.0mg Lucentis for Wet-AMD - (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• DRCR.net OCT Comparison Study for Diabetic Macular Edema - (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• ASIAN AMD Gene Study - (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

These studies have closed enrollment, but are still ongoing:

• Dexamethasone Sustained Release Pellet with Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema - (Primary Investigator: James C. Lai, MD)

• PEARL TRIAL: Lucentis for Exudation and Bleeding related to Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) - (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• RISE Trial: ANTI-VEGF Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy - Double-Masked, Randomized Study (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• VIEW 1: VEGF-Trap for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• DIAMOND: Sub-conjuctival doses of sirolimus for Diabetic Macular Edema (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• siRNA for DME (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• siRNA for AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

These studies have been completed:

• DRCR.net Evaluation of Vitrectomy for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema - (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• SAILOR: Lucentis for Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Wet-AMD (PI: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• DRCR.net Intravitreal Steroid vs. Laser Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema - (PI: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• DENALI Trial: Combination Therapy for Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Wet-AMD - (Primary Investigator: James C. Lai, MD)

• MARINA: Lucentis for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• FOCUS: Lucentis + PDT for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• VISTa: Triamcinolone + PDT for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• EOP1012: Macugen + PDT for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• EOP1013: Macugen for Diabetic Macular Edema (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• Prevention of Macular Hole Study (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• Multi-center trial for the Prevention of Full-Thickness Macular Holes (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• Vitrase for Vitreous Hemorrhage Study (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• Protein Kinase C Inhibitor Study for Diabetic Retinopathy (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• Submacular Surgery Trial (SST) for wet-AMD (Primary Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• VAM Study: Visudyne for PDT (Co-Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

• STOP ROP Study (Retinopathy of Prematurity) (Co-Investigator: Gregg T. Kokame, MD)

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please have your eye doctor or doctor contact Dr. Kokame or Dr. Lai and refer you to our office.  If you are interested in placing a study at The Retina Center at Pali Momi or Retina Consultants of Hawaii, please call Jacqueline Shen at (808) 487-8928 or email: jshen@retinahi.com