Research Register

What is the ERGO research register?

The Eye Research Group Oxford is a highly active, established research centre. Our department is involved with exciting research which aims to develop ways to diagnose and treat eye disease more effectively, and help improve the quality of life of our patients. The group keeps a register of volunteers who are willing to be approached to potentially take part in research studies. By joining the register, you will be giving us permission to inform you about new research projects and to approach you about potential participation in future studies. We also include an option to allow the Eye Research Group Oxford access to your medical records to ensure you are only contacted about relevant research studies.

Why is research important?

Before new treatments or devices can be used in clinical practice they must be carefully tested for their effects on patients. Clinical trials invite volunteers to assess whether new treatments are more effective than pre-existing treatments, the side effects and whether they are safe. By participating in a research trial you can help us find strategies for the management of diseases like Age Related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy or Retinitis Pigmentosa and the development of new and better treatments or help to establish the best options for particular patient groups.

Who can join?

Anyone over the age of 18. If you have an eye condition or not, we also need healthy volunteers to act as ‘controls’ for comparison in some studies.

How can you join and what would be involved?

You will be asked to fill in and sign a Permission to Contact Form and a brief Medical History Form to return to the Eye Research Group Oxford. Most importantly you do not have any obligation to take part in any of our studies. Once we have contacted you regarding a study and you have expressed your potential interest, we will then invite you to the Oxford Eye Hospital to discuss the study further and, if you agree, obtain your consent to participate. Taking part in the research study is entirely voluntary and once you have given your consent you can withdraw at any time without giving a reason. You can also withdraw from the Eye Research Group Oxford Research Register at any time for any reason, without this affecting your medical care, by e-mailing ERGO@ouh.nhs.uk or by calling us on +44 (0) 1865 231122.

Will my information be kept confidential?

All information collected about you will be kept strictly confidential. All our documents are stored securely and kept in strict confidence in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Who do i contact for more information?

If you have any questions or would like further information on the Research Register please email ERGO@ouh.nhs.uk or contact us by filling in the form below.