Durga Borkar, MD, MMCi was recently featured in Ophthalmology Times discussing how researchers are using real-world data (RWD) to accelerate ophthalmic research and improve patient care. The article explores the growing use of data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS® Registry, one of the largest ophthalmology databases in the world, to support clinical trials, evaluate treatment outcomes, monitor safety, and generate new insights into eye disease.
Drawing on examples from retinal research, Dr. Borkar highlighted how real-world evidence can help researchers better understand patient experiences, identify eligible participants for clinical studies, and assess treatment effectiveness outside of traditional clinical trial settings. She also discussed the value of linking clinical data, imaging, and other sources to create a more complete picture of diseases such as geographic atrophy and diabetic macular edema. The feature underscored the increasing role of real-world data in advancing discovery, improving study efficiency, and shaping the future of ophthalmic care.