Charleen Nelson, of Pittsburgh, PA, participated in a clinical trial for wet aged macular degeneration. The experience was nothing but positive, with a successful result: she no longer has wet AMD in that eye.
When Charleen moved to Pittsburgh in 2018, she knew she had dry AMD in her right eye. She went to the UPMC Vision Institute for a follow up visit and discovered she had wet AMD in her left eye and was started on injections in that eye.
Prior to enrolling in the study, Charleen got shots in her eye every six weeks. After one of the appointments in 2023, Charleen received a phone call from Dr. Jay Chhablani, MD, Vice Chair of Clinical Trials and Director of Clinical Research at the VI, asking if she wanted to be part of a clinical trial. She met with Dr. Chhablani and his assistant Sashan Morris, who explained the study was on gene therapy for wet AMD. Charleen signed the contract that day. “Anything to help with my eyes,” she said.
Charleen started the study in November 2023. At her study appointments, she underwent several tests on both eyes. At first, she did not know which medical dose she was given – the high or low – or if it was actually a placebo. She received the bleb at the beginning of the trial and no shots from that point on. During the follow-up period, “she showed no signs of activity, thus no shots,” Dr. Chhablani said.
She completed the trial in January 2025, as she was effectively cured. She has not received a single injection since she underwent the surgery in the study.
Charleen said the clinical trial was a “very pleasant experience.” As a social person, she enjoyed her visits because everyone else was social in return. She called Dr. Chhablani very personable and friendly, and said the staff was incredible as well.
While Charleen’s right eye is getting worse, she is thankful that she participated in this clinical trial. “I’m glad to have one good eye,” she said.