National Eye Institute Announces New Clinical Trials Database on their Web Site

A new interactive, searchable clinical trial database has been added to the National Eye Institute's (NEI) web site at http://www.nei.nih.gov. The database provides detailed information on ongoing and completed clinical trials supported and conducted by the NEI since 1970.

Each trial description includes information on the background and purpose of the study, patient eligibility criteria, patient recruitment, current status of the study, results to date, a bibliography, and implications for clinical practice. Listings are included for the study chairperson, participating clinical centers, resource centers, and NEI staff representatives.

You can search for a trial by keyword, eye disease, or location. Information also is provided on how to participate in a trial as well as how to refer a patient to a trial.

The NEI web site has been in operation for one year and has received approximately 100,000 visitors. It provides a broad spectrum of information about eye diseases and vision research.

"The NEI web site is a unique source of information for all audiences," said Carl Kupfer, M.D., director of the NEI. "From the researcher who wants to know about current NEI intramural studies on uveitis, to the recently diagnosed patient who wants to know more about age-related macular degeneration, to the teacher who wants to educate students about vision, the NEI web site provides access to a wide range of eye-related topics."

Visitors navigate through the web site by identifying themselves as members of the following audiences:

Researchers

Health Care Professionals

Public and Patients

Educators

Media

Some of the other highlights of the NEI web site include:

Information on the grant funding process and fellowship opportunities

Clinical alerts, news releases, full text of publications, and on-line ordering

Links to National Institutes of Health and other Federal web sites

Information and materials from the National Eye Health Education Program

Download color photo at: http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/flyer.jpg

The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research, and supports between 70 to 80 percent of basic and applied vision research in the United States.