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King’s Ophthalmology Research Unit

The King’s Ophthalmology Research Unit (KORU) is based at King’s College Hospital, and led by Professor Tim Jackson.

Our research areas include three leading causes of sight loss:

  • age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • glaucoma
  • diabetic retinopathy.

The team is at the forefront of several cutting-edge eye research trials. This includes a number of pioneering endeavours such as retinal implants (bionic eyes) and robotic stereotactic radiotherapy.

We run a large number of both investigator-initiated and commercial clinical trials, and lead large multicentre national and international randomised controlled trials.

Contact the team to find out more: [email protected]

Our research

Many of the treatments we rely on today would never have emerged without clinical trials. Our trials enable our patients to access cutting-edge treatments that will often not be available across the broader NHS for several years.

Our eye research unit leads some of the largest retinal clinical trials in the UK.

Current studies we are recruiting to

ALTIMETER

An exploratory, prospective, multi-center, open-label, single-arm, interventional, Phase IIB study to investigate aqueous humor and multimodal imaging biomarkers in treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema treated with Faricimab.

CONCEPT

Comparing the effectiveness of Phacoemulsification and ECP laser and Phacoemulsification alone for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma in patients with cataract.

NEON NPDR

A Phase 2 randomised placebo-controlled, double-masked proof-of-concept and dose-finding study to investigate the efficacy and safety of Runcaciguat (BAY 1101042) in patients with moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

TIGER

This is an investigator-led trial for which Professor Tim Jackson is Chief Investigator. A €2m grant was awarded from Euretina and Fight for Sight to run this pan-European study comparing surgical with non-surgical treatment of submacular haemorrhage in AMD.

Triton

A Phase 3b study to evaluate the duration of effect of Bimatoprost SR in participants with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

EYE-NEON

Prevalence of subclinical Non-Exudative choroidal neovascularisation and its contribution to prediction of exudation in fellow eyes with unilateral exudative AMD (EYE-NEON).

Recent studies that have closed to recruitment or are in follow-up

STAR

Pivotal UK-wide NIHR-funded RCT of stereotactic radiotherapy for wet AMD. Led by King’s.

PRECISE

Using retinal images to predict the response to intravitreal aflibercept therapy for wet AMD.

APELLIS-DERBY

Phase 3 RCT of a novel intravitreal treatment for geographic atrophy.

MERCURY3

International RCT of a novel eye drop for glaucoma.

RHINE

Phase 3 RCT of a new intravitreal treatment for diabetic macular oedema.

VIDEO

RCT of vitrectomy for diabetic macular oedema.

BIOMARKER

Identification of novel circulating biomarkers to detect sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

XTEND

Evaluation of personalised extended dosing for wet AMD.

ASCOT

Surgical trial of intra and periocular steroids for penetrating eye injury.

PEACE

Randomised feasibility study comparing surgical approaches to treat black African and African-Caribbean patients with glaucoma mitochondria in glaucoma: Study of mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma.

The team

The team includes consultants, research fellows, trial managers and clinical trial coordinators. They work together to promote and maintain clinical trial activities within the ophthalmology research portfolio, according to regulatory requirements.

Consultants

Research staff

  • Riti Desai, Ophthalmology Research Manager
  • Chan Ning Lee, Clinical Research Fellow
  • Noimot Timson, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
  • Lisa Ramazzotto, Assistant Trial Manager
  • George Murphy, Clinical Research Fellow
  • Ignacio Cano Sanchez, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator

Further information for patients

If you would like to take part in ophthalmology research at King’s College Hospital, please contact the team at [email protected]