At Berkeley Optometry, our goals are to explore new models and strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ocular anomalies by conducting patient-based clinical studies/trials, as well as translational research. Our researchers are involved in clinical trials and studies that often seek participants. Current studies are described below:
Amblyopia or “Lazy Eye”
Amblyopia, also referred to as ‘lazy eye’, is a neuro-developmental abnormality that results in physiological alterations in the visual pathways and impaired vision in one eye, less commonly in both. Aside from refractive error, amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in infants and young children.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either:
Sequential Treatment
Full-time glasses first, with subsequent patching for 2 hours per day/7 days per week if there is no further improvement in amblyopic eye visual acuity with glasses alone and there is residual amblyopia; OR
Simultaneous Treatment
Full-time glasses and part-time patching for 2 hours per day/7 days per week.
Occlusion dose monitors (ODMs) will be used to record actual patch wear time during prescribed patching and follow-up visits will be every 8 weeks for 56 weeks.
Children between 3 to < 13 years old, with visual acuity in the amblyopic eye between 20/40 and 20/200. No previous treatment for amblyopia is allowed, including glasses or contact lenses.
Hypersensitivity to Light in Traumatic Brain Injury
Our researchers are investigating the mechanisms of light sensitivity in healthy adults with photalgia or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Participants are compensated for their time at $25.00/hour and travel/parking reimbursement.
Participation involves:
A 1-hour or less visit to the Tang Eye Center at UC Berkeley;
Behavioral testing of sensitivity to different flashing light intensities; and
Measurement of eye response while viewing flickering colored displays.
To qualify, participants must:
Be between the ages 18-59;
Have photalgia (hypersensitive to light) with; OR without having experienced a traumatic brain injury/concussion;
Be in normal health with no known eye disease or neurological conditions;
Not be pregnant; and
Have full COVID Immunizations.
Assistive Technology for Reading for People with Visual Impairment
People with low vision often use screen magnification software to read on a computer screen. Since a magnifier expands the screen content beyond the physical size of the screen (the “viewport”), it is necessary to move the content so that the portion of interest falls within the viewport. This typically requires continuous horizontal or vertical scrolling using the mouse or the trackpad, a tedious operation that can be challenging for those with poor manual dexterity.
This project will develop a new software system that relies on the user’s own gaze to control scrolling when reading with magnification. This will greatly facilitate use of a screen magnifier, and thus enable better access to onscreen information for people with low vision.
Participants will be asked to read aloud several short paragraphs from a document, or to search for and read aloud titles of pictures on a web page at a screen magnification level that they need. Participants’ gaze will be recorded using an eye tracker and how they move a computer mouse to scroll across paragraphs or to search for the titles on a web page will also be recorded.
Only one visit is required and it should take no longer than 2 hours. Participants will receive $50 for participating in the study, and transportation expenses will also be reimbursed.
Adults 18 years old or older whose vision is impaired in both eyes and need magnification to read text on a computer, tablet or smartphone are eligible. A confirmed diagnosis of eye disease that causes the vision loss will be helpful to establish eligibility.
Please feel free to contact us at (510) 642-4720 if you are interested in the study.
Enhancing Vision for People with Macular Disease
People with macular disease, for example, macular degeneration, often experience difficulties with daily tasks such as reading and seeing faces. The goal of this research project is to develop methods to enhance vision for people with macular disease.
Participants will be asked to perform simple visual tasks such as detecting whether or not a spot of light is present, or identifying letters. In most cases, we will be recording the image of the retina while participants perform the tasks. The tasks themselves are simple but because we need to get multiple measurements, the testing takes about 1.5 to 2 hrs for a single session. Participants can choose whether or not to return for additional testing sessions. Participants’ time in the lab, and transportation expenses, will be reimbursed.
Adults 18 years old or older whose vision is impaired in both eyes (vision preferably within the range of 20/40 and 20/400 in the better-seeing eye) due to any form of macular disease are eligible. A confirmed diagnosis of macular disease that causes the vision loss will be helpful to establish eligibility.
Please feel free to contact us at (510) 642-4720 if you are interested in the study.
Contact Lens Studies
We have various contact lens studies throughout the year, and we welcome anyone who is a current soft contact lens wearer (with or without lens-induced discomfort) to participate.
These studies typically require several visits over the course of 1 day in which clinicians will assess fit and wearing-comfort of contact lenses. Studies are updated weekly so please contact us for the most up to date information about these studies.
Anyone who is a current soft contact lens wearer (with or without lens-induced discomfort) to participate.
The studies are being conducted by Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Berkeley Optometry. We are a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of dry eye disease and contact lens-related research. Our goals are to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular conditions by exploring new models and strategies by conducting human-based clinical studies and trials. If you are interested in any of our studies, please feel free to contact us via email at ucbcrc@berkeley.edu or call our office at (510) 643-9252.
Extended Contact Lens Study
In this study, you will be able to try lenses that you can sleep in.
This study will consist of 9 visits over the course of 1 year with weekly journal entries. Contact lenses will be provided for the entire duration of the study in addition to subject compensation per visit.
Successful soft lens wearers of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.
This study is being conducted by Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Berkeley Optometry. We are a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of dry eye disease and contact lens-related research. Our goals are to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular conditions by exploring new models and strategies by conducting human-based clinical studies and trials. If you are interested in any of our studies, please feel free to contact us via email at ucbcrc@berkeley.edu or call our office at (510) 643-9252.
Ocular Surface Study
Our Ocular Surface Study looks very closely at the ocular surface and provides participants a thorough evaluation of their eyes.
Study participants will receive a thorough examination of the front part of their eyes and be followed bi-annually.
Most people ages 18 years and older, with or without dry eyes, are eligible to participate.
This study is being conducted by Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Berkeley Optometry. We are a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of dry eye disease and contact lens-related research. Our goals are to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular conditions by exploring new models and strategies by conducting human-based clinical studies and trials. If you are interested in any of our studies, please feel free to contact us via email at ucbcrc@berkeley.edu or call our office at (510) 643-9252.
Myopia “CHAMPS” Study
This study is investigating whether the use of an eye drop used daily before bedtime can safely slow the progression of myopia in children. Currently closed for enrollment.
This is a 4-year study. During the study, your child will be asked to:
- Use the study medication as directed by the study doctor.
- Attend study visits every 3 months at the optometry clinic.
- Attend visits every 6 months to have your child’s eye health checked.
For more information on this study, please visit the CHAMPS Study webpage.
Your child may be able to participate if:
- They are between the ages of 3-10 years old.
- Their current glasses prescription is between -0.50 D and -6.00 D, with no more than -1.50 D of astigmatism.
Scleral Lens Study
This study evaluates safety and efficacy of scleral lenses for those patients with compromised or healthy corneas.
If you have been diagnosed with significant dry eyes or with a primary corneal ectasia disease (such as ‘keratoconus’ and ‘pellucid marginal degeneration’) and you are interested in learning more about scleral lenses, you may be qualified to participate in our Scleral Lens Study.
This study is being conducted by Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Berkeley Optometry. We are a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of dry eye disease and contact lens-related research. Our goals are to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular conditions by exploring new models and strategies by conducting human-based clinical studies and trials. If you are interested in any of our studies, please feel free to contact us via email at ucbcrc@berkeley.edu or call our office at (510) 643-9252.
Tear Production Study
The Tear Production Study examines the accuracy and efficiency of current tear production measuring methods.
Most people are eligible to participate in this study and we welcome all who are interested to contact our clinic to learn more.
This study is being conducted by Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Berkeley Optometry. We are a multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of dry eye disease and contact lens-related research. Our goals are to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular conditions by exploring new models and strategies by conducting human-based clinical studies and trials. If you are interested in any of our studies, please feel free to contact us via email at ucbcrc@berkeley.edu or call our office at (510) 643-9252.
