2023 Annual report

RESEARCH

A Q&A with Dr. Kristen Fry, ’98 Leading Clinical Research through 10 Years of Growth

Q: What about the new space is significant and important to the future success of the CVRC? A: The new CVRC provides the administrative space for the study support team which has grown over the years. More importantly, it provides additional examination room lanes (now we have 6 lanes!) to be able to accommodate more trials by industry partners along with the College’s investigator-initiated studies. The greater number of exam lanes also allows our graduate student research projects access to the CVRC and shared use of equipment for their clinical research projects, which previously had been difficult to accommodate with space restraints. Q: To date, and in your opinion, what study do you think was most important or noteworthy in the past ten years? A: The CHAMP study evaluating childhood atropine for myopia progression is noteworthy. We were the highest enrollers (73 enrolled) in this multi-center study that ran from 2017 through 2023. The new drug application was submitted to the FDA this past summer and its approval is anticipated early this year. It will be an important new, first-in-class pharmaceutical treatment option for children with myopia.

In 2023, The Clinical Vision Research Center (CVRC) celebrated the start of its 100th case study and hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the 14th floor following nearly 2 years of eagerly anticipated renovations. This is just one part of the overall research initiative that happens at SUNY Optometry. Q: How many people are currently on the CVRC research team? A: There are 9 people on our research team. In the past 10 years, we have worked with 22 different principal investigators, the majority of which are/were clinical faculty. Q: How many patients are currently actively engaged in trials and studies? A: Currently, we have 100 participants enrolled in 11 active studies. Over the past 10 years an estimated 4,000 subjects have participated in our various studies. Q: What is the 100th CVRC Study? A: Our 100th study was by Dr. Arathy Kartha. She is currently working on a NIH funded study to evaluate subjects with ultra-low vision. These subjects have visual acuity less than 20/1600. The information learned through the study may help in developing new vision rehabilitation programs for those with ultra-low

Dr. Kristen Fry, ’98 CVRC Director

vision which may significantly impact their quality of life. Q: What was the first study? A: The first clinical study in the CVRC began in 2013 and was the OPUS2, multicenter clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of a 5.0% concentration of Lifitegrast Ophthalmic Solution compared to placebo in subjects with dry eye currently using artificial tears. Dr. Katherine Richdale, the initial Director of the CVRC, was the study’s principal investigator.

30% Increase in Active Clinical Research Grants

20 SUNY OPTOMETRY ANNUAL REPORT