Research
OCB physicians are actively involved in clinical research that is advancing treatment options for many conditions that cause vision loss. Through these clinical trials, OCB physicians are able to offer our patients cutting edge treatment options in addition to established standard care therapies. If you are interested in learning more about potentially participating in one of our research studies, please contact the research team members 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.
Researchers
Jeffrey S. 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 Director Alison Nowak.
Research Director:
Alison Nowak
617-314-2694
anowak@eyeboston.com
Michael B. 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 Amanda Cox.
Research Coordinator:
Amanda Cox
617-314-2778
acox@eyeboston.com
Peter A. 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 M. 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. For more information about participating in one of these studies, contact Research Coordinator, Shaylyn Senier.
Research Coordinator:
Shaylyn Senier
617-314-2702
ssenier@eyeboston.com
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, Jason Lu.
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 Maria Jose Martinez Lopez.
Research Coordinator:
Maria Jose Martinez Lopez
617-314-1812
mjmartinezlopez@eyeboston.com
John T. Mandeville, MD
Dr. Mandeville’s clinical practice focus is cosmetic and reconstructive eye plastic surgery. This includes surgery of the delicate tissues surrounding the eyes, including the eyelids and brows, tear ducts and orbits. He also has extensive experience in cosmetic surgery, fillers and Botox applications. Dr. Mandeville’s research interests involve novel treatments for thyroid eye disease. Dr. Mandeville’s research is ongoing, for more information and to learn more about participating in a study, please contact Research Director, Alison Nowak.
Research Director:
Alison Nowak
617-314-2694
anowak@eyeboston.com
Dr. Mandeville participated in a Thyroid Eye Disease Clinical Trials 101 webinar with TED Community. You can watch the webinar here.
Theodor C. Sauer, MD, MPH
Dr. Sauer’s research interests include laser, medical, and surgical management of glaucoma. He is a principal investigator on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) trial on optimizing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment (https://www.coasttrial.org/). Along with Dr. Husam Ansari, he is a co-investigator on several medication and surgical clinical trials, which give patients access to the latest and most sophisticated glaucoma treatments. For more information about participating in one of these studies, contact Dr. Sauer’s Research Coordinator, Jason Lu.
Research Coordinator:
617-314-2687
