Overview of the Research
Who We Are
We are one of the most experienced clinical research teams engaged in eye and vision research in the UK. The team has 2 research nurses, 1 research fellow, 1 clinical trial assistant, 3 research optometrists, and 3 accredited ophthalmic photographers.
BORN have facilitated over 50 clinical trials since 2008 and recruited over 500 participants to these trials.
Through our research and partnerships, the team has invested in new state of the art equipment for the ophthalmology and macular clinics such as Multimodal retinal imaging, Fluorescein and Indocyanine green angiography, Fundus Auto Fluorescence, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, OPTOS wide field camera and Micro-Pulse Laser.
Mission Statement
- Increase and improve research activity within Ophthalmology and embed it into everyday practice.
- Promote science, education and innovation for clinical care in ophthalmology.
- Make research common practice, that is valued and available to all.
- Value patients and their contribution to clinical research and provide safe, quality care
- Promote best practice when caring for patients with ophthalmological conditions
Our main priorities are acting in the best interests of our patients, providing high quality care and safety within ophthalmic research. Our success as a research team is due to our patients who have kindly volunteered to help with our research projects over the years.
Contact Us
Interested in getting involved with ophthalmic research?
Contact the team :
E: Eye.Research@bthft.nhs.uk
Follow us on Twitter @BTHFTeye_res
The Research Team

Dr Sridevi Rajasekaran

Mr Faizaan Azmi
Our Research
LATEST RESEARCH
Current Research
RHONE-X – Faricimab vs Aflibercept in patients with Diabetic Macular Oedema – open label extension
AVONELLE-X – Faricimab vs Aflibercept in patients with Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration – open label extension
COMINO – Faricimab Vs Aflibercept in central retinal vein occlusion or hemi-retinal vein occlusion
EYE-NEON – Artificial Intelligence monitoring of potential nAMD in fellow eye
ADVISE – Uveitis
TELESCOPE – Geographic atrophy.
ASTUTE – Uveitis
HORNBILL – first in human trial for diabetic macular ischaemia
ALLUVIUM – Phase 2 study of IL-6 inhibitor for diabetic macular oedema
BARDENAS – Phase 2 of IL-6 inhibitor plus Ranibizumab for diabetic macular oedema
EVIAN – treatment for post operative exogenous endophthalmitis
Achievements
Over the past 12 years in research we have had a number of accolades:
- Bayer Ophthalmology Judge’s Special Award December 2016 for innovation and determination in developing a strong ophthalmology research team
- 1st Global Patient for Constance study 2012
- 1st rest of world patient for pSivida, 2014
- 1st Uk patient for proxima B 2015
- Fastest recruiter in UK (within a week) for the Polaris Study, 2013
- Top recruiting site (UK) October 2015 – LEAVO study
- 1st UK patient RHINE (2018)
- 1st Rest of World patient TENAYA (2019)
- Fastest and Highest recruitment in the UK TENAYA (2019)
- 1st UK Patient COMINO (2021)
Other achievements, e.g., radio/TV appearances/newspaper articles include any publications
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9700177.Drugs_trial_could_save_NHS___84m/
Ghanchi FD, Hazel CA. South Asian Diabetic Macular Oedema treated with Ranibizumab (ADMOR) – http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/eye2015209a.html
Fulcher C, McGraw PV, Roach NW, Whitaker D, Heron J. Object size determines the spatial spread of visual time. In: Proc. R. Soc. B 2016 Jul 27 (Vol. 283, No. 1835, p. 20161024). The Royal Society.
Current Research
RHINE – Faricimab vs Aflibercept in patients with Diabetic Macular Oedema – open label extension commenced RHONE-X
TENAYA – Faricimab vs Aflibercept in patients with Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration – open label extension commenced AVONELLE-X
TALON – Brolicizumab vs Aflibercept modified treatment pathway for Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration
COMINO – Faricimab Vs Aflibercept in central retinal vein occlusion or hemi-retinal vein occlusion
EYE-NEON – Artificial Intelligence monitoring of potential nAMD in fellow eye
ADVISE – Uveitis
TELESCOPE – Geographic atrophy.
ASTUTE – Uveitis
Industry Partners
Alcon
Allergan
Bayer
Novartis
Oraya
pSivida
Santen
Roche
Bioeq GmbH
SYNEOS Health
O4 Research
Covance
Iqvia
Achievements
Over the past 12 years in research we have had a number of accolades:
- Bayer Ophthalmology Judge’s Special Award December 2016 for innovation and determination in developing a strong ophthalmology research team
- 1st Global Patient for Constance study 2012
- 1st rest of world patient for pSivida, 2014
- 1st Uk patient for proxima B 2015
- Fastest recruiter in UK (within a week) for the Polaris Study, 2013
- Top recruiting site (UK) October 2015 – LEAVO study
- 1st UK patient RHINE (2018)
- 1st Rest of World patient TENAYA (2019)
- Fastest and Highest recruitment in the UK TENAYA (2019)
- 1st UK Patient COMINO (2021)
Other achievements, e.g., radio/TV appearances/newspaper articles include any publications
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9700177.Drugs_trial_could_save_NHS___84m/
Ghanchi FD, Hazel CA. South Asian Diabetic Macular Oedema treated with Ranibizumab (ADMOR) – http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/eye2015209a.html
Fulcher C, McGraw PV, Roach NW, Whitaker D, Heron J. Object size determines the spatial spread of visual time. In: Proc. R. Soc. B 2016 Jul 27 (Vol. 283, No. 1835, p. 20161024). The Royal Society.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Previous Research:
VPDT, IVAN, COMRADE B, COMRADE C, SAKURA, INTREPID, POLARIS, IVAN B, SAFARI, LUMINOUS< ASH< CONSTANCE, INJECT, DREAMS, pSIVIDA, LEAVO, SPECTRI, PROXIMA B, OMASPECT, EDNA, COLUMBUS, CENTERA, VICI, FASBAT, OCTANE, EMERALD, DIAMONDS, RAPTOR, PANDA-2, DRAKO, PRECISE, RHINE, TENAYA, TALON, BESRA