Clinical Research
The mission of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Clinical Research Program is to support the prevention, treatment and cure for disorders of the eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Research at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is divided into two tracks – Basic Clinical Research and Clinical Trials, which are described below.
Basic Clinical Research
Basic research studies improve our understanding of the normal function of the body and provide a foundation for clinical research. Clinical advances proceed most rapidly when we understand the way the body works when “normal.” People who take part in basic research studies have an opportunity to advance medical knowledge even if they don’t have any specific disorders.
The majority of our basic research studies are peer-reviewed and then funded by the National Institutes of Health or other federal agencies. All studies listed have gone through a rigorous review process conducted by the Mass. Eye and Ear Human Studies Committee or Schepens Eye Research Institute Institutional Review Board.
Clinical Trials
The mission of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Clinical Research Program is to support the prevention, treatment and cure for disorders of the eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Each study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a specific disorder. People who take part in clinical trials have an opportunity to contribute to knowledge of their specific disorder while receiving the most up-to-date medical care. In addition to the listed trials, there are other studies that are performed that are by invitation only through individual clinicians.
Some of our clinical trials have been developed by our investigators, and many are multi-institutional trials developed by pharmaceutical and medical device companies, the National Institutes of Health, or other federal agencies. All trials listed have gone through a rigorous review process conducted by the Mass. Eye and Ear Human Studies Committee or Schepens Eye Research Institute Institutional Review Board.
The Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections has published a pamphlet entitled "Becoming a Research Volunteer: It's Your Decision" to inform the general public about research participation. See both the English and Spanish versions here:
English: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education/brochures/3panelfinal.pdf
Español: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education/brochures/ohrp3panelspanish.pdf
For more information about health topics, ongoing medical trials, the clinical research process, and ongoing clinical trials in Massachusetts, see connecttoresearch.org.
To join a clinical trial at MEEI as a volunteer, contact the study coordinator listed for the trial you are interested in participating in by clicking on the links below.
List of Current Ophthalmology Department Clinical Research
List of Current Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Department Clinical Research
To ask questions about your rights as a human research volunteer, please contact Research Compliance or call 617-573-6939.
Page updated 2/21/12.
