Nation’s Largest Optometric Clinical Research Facility Celebrates 10 Years with Expanded Space and 100th Clinical Study
New York, New York – On Tuesday, SUNY College of Optometry celebrated the newly renovated Clinical Vision Research Center (CVRC) with an official ribbon cutting. The CVRC is the largest clinical optometry research facility in the country. The new space provides administrative space for the study support team and 6 examination room lanes to accommodate more trials conducted by industry partners as well as the College’s investigator-initiated studies. This increased number of exam lanes also allows graduate students access to the CVRC and shared use of equipment for their clinical research projects which previously had been difficult to accommodate with space constraints.
Currently there are 150 subjects enrolled in 8 active studies. Over the past 10 years an estimated 4000 subjects have participated in our various studies. The CVRC is currently celebrating 10 years of ground-breaking research, with its 100th study to begin this fall.
“This is a momentous occasion,” noted SUNY College of Optometry President, Dr. David A. Heath. “Dr. Troilo envisioned a research facility that went from bench to bedside, and that is what has been created by the dedicated and passionate team here at the CVRC.”
Dr. Heath was joined by Dr. Kristen Fry, Clinic Director, Dr. David Troilo, Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Stewart Bloomfield, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and several dozen members of the College Community.
“Our uniqueness is the way we are set up with research support staff,” said Dr. Fry, “but also research doctors who are leading their own studies as well as providing support to faculty led projects. New researchers have opportunities to tap into the CVRC expertise to help them get started into clinical research.”
“Our goal was to create a research pipeline linking our basic and translational vision science research to clinical trial research that advances eye care and the profession,” stated Dr. Troilo, “Over ten years and 100 clinical studies later, the CVRC has grown and continues to flourish. It is truly one of the college’s great successes.” He went on to thank Dr. Bloomfield for his “unwavering support of the CVRC, a key to its success.”
The CVRC first opened in 2013 under the leadership of Director Dr. Kathryn Richdale. One of the first clinical studies 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. Other ongoing studies were rolled into the CVRC under Dr. Richdale’s leadership but this was the first entirely run in the CVRC. Dr. Fry took over the position of Director in 2016 and, on average, the CVRC conducts over 20 studies a year, including ongoing studies (multi-year).
The 100th study subject enrolled is projected to be a study looking to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new drug for persistent corneal epithelial defects. Dr. Tracy Nguyen is the principle investigator leading the study. It is not a common condition, but if the study is successful, the therapy could significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Combangio Inc. a subsidiary of Kala Pharmaceuticals, is sponsoring the trial.
The current CVRC research team consists of:
- Kristen Fry: Director
- Wayne Spencer: Associate Director
- Dr. Denise Pensyl, Dr. Josianne Manasse and Dr. Daphne Ambrose: Research Doctors
- Dana Skinner: Research Manager/Clinical Research Coordinator
- Keyana Hunte and Nicole Dickson: Clinical Research Assistants
MEDIA CONTACT: Rob Rosiello | communications@sunyopt.edu | 212-938-5600
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 28, 2023
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.