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OCB physicians are actively involved in research that is advancing the understanding of many conditions that cause blindness. As a result, OCB has ongoing studies aimed at improving the medical and surgical care of these conditions, so that we are able to offer better treatment options to our patients. Many are enrolling patients. If you are interested in learning more about potentially participating in one of our studies, please contact the research coordinators listed below.
Understanding Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medication or medical devices by monitoring their effects on groups of people. They are conducted in a series of steps, called phases. Each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Jeffrey Heier, MD
Dr. Heier's research interests include new treatments for age related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular adema (DME), and venous occlusive disease (RVO); new vitreoretinal surgical techniques and instrumentation; and diagnostic imaging of the retina. Under Dr. Heier's leadership, OCB has become one of the leading clinical trial centers in the U.S. for novel treatments for retinal diseases has ongoing related studies. For more information about participating in one of these studies, contact Research Coordinator Alison Nowak.
Research Coordinator :
Alison Nowak 617-314-2694
Michael Raizman, MD
Dr. Raizman's research interests include treatments for conditions that affect the cornea. A primary focus of his is corneal collagen crosslinking, a groundbreaking therapy for patients diagnosed with keratoconus. He also investigates new less invasive alternative procedures to cornea transplant, novel surgical devices in cataract surgery, and treatments for Fuchs' Dystrophy. OCB has ongoing studies on conditions that affect the cornea. For more information about participating in one of these studies, contact Research Coordinator Madison Svopa.
Peter Rapoza, MD
Dr. Rapoza is a recognized authority in the field of corneal and cataract surgery, refractive surgery and the medical and surgical treatment of the cornea. His research interests include radial and astigmatic keratotomy, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, corneal transplantation and cataract surgery. He has conducted numerous clinical trials studying pharmaceutical agents to treat corneal transplant rejection, inflammation in cataract surgery, dry eye and ocular infections.
Lana Rifkin, MD
Dr. Rifkin is one of the few ophthalmologists in the country who specializes in uveitis (ocular inflammatory diseases) and her clinical research is focused on this condition and its consequences. She has published many peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters, serves as a reviewer for several esteemed medical journals, and is a frequent presenter at local, regional and national conferences. Her research into ocular inflammatory diseases is ongoing.
Husam Ansari, MD, PhD
Dr. Ansari's research interests include the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. Dr. Ansari is involved with numerous clinical trials which give him and his patients access to the latest and most sophisticated glaucoma treatments, including treatments that are not yet widely available. For more information about participating in one of these studies, contact Dr. Ansari's Research Coordinator
Research Coordinator:
617-314-2687
Chirag Shah, MD, MPH
Dr. Shah's research interests cover a myriad of retinal conditions, including macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. He has published peer-reviewed journals and serves as the Deputy Editor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's ONE Network, a platform that educates 30,000 ophthalmologists worldwide. He is also Editor of the Clinical Trials section of Retina Times and a co-editor of the Wills Eye Five Minute Consult. Dr. Shah's research is ongoing, For more information and to learn more about participating in a study, please contact Research Coordinator Alison Nowak. (See contact information below)
Research Coordinator :
Alison Nowak 617-314-2694
