Clinical Research Awards

The ESCRS Clinical Research Awards (CRA) is an initiative by the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) to support and encourage independent clinical research in the field of cataract, cornea and refractive surgery.

For the 2023 Clinical Research Awards, the ESCRS invites applications in response to a specific topic which has been identified by the ESCRS Research Committee and prioritised for its importance to the Society, its members, and to improve current patient care. For the year 2023, ESCRS requests CRA applications on the following topic:

A (randomized) comparative, controlled trial evaluating different types of presbyopia-correcting IOLs for post-keratorefractive surgery patients undergoing lens surgery

Background

Advancements in presbyopia correcting IOL technology offer the potential for spectacle independence in patients with a history of keratorefractive surgery. To assess their effectiveness in meeting the high expectations of this patient population, high-quality research is needed.

The research on the use of presbyopia-correcting IOLs has grown in recent years, as these IOLs may provide spectacle-free vision in patients. However, adoption of these newer IOLs is slower than expected, due in part, to a lack of confidence from surgeons and demand from patients for these technologies.

In the meantime, there is an ever-increasing patient population who could benefit from this category of IOLs – patients who have previously undergone corneal refractive surgery and are now developing cataracts. For these patients, standard monofocal IOLs may not sufficiently address their needs, since these patients have grown accustomed to life without the need for spectacles.

Therefore, there is a clear need to prospectively and objectively evaluate the outcomes of presbyopic-correcting IOLs in post-keratorefractive surgery patients, allowing surgeons to propose evidence-based solutions to patients.

In order to tackle this important topic, ESCRS is seeking applications from European-based ophthalmologists and researchers for an ESCRS-funded trial.

Expected impact

The results of the funded project will:

• Provide objective clinical evidence on the use of presbyopia-correcting IOLs in patients that have previously undergone keratorefractive surgery.
• Establish an independent database of clinical outcomes on presbyopia-correcting IOLs, including guidelines/ preferred practice patterns on optimization of IOL calculation in post-keratorefractive eyes.
• Increase the level of confidence of surgeons towards the use of presbyopia-correcting IOLs.

Conditions

Eligible applicants must be based in Europe* or Brazil. The applicants must hold a full-time clinical/research post at a clinical or academic centre (public or private) in these regions. An ESCRS membership is not required to apply to the Award.

Support is available for a maximum of three years for the right project with suitable infrastructure and experience. The total funding amount to be confirmed.

*This includes continental Europe - including Switzerland - the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, and Israel.

How to Apply

The 2023 Clinical Research Award will be divided into two phases:

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1. Expression of interest

This preliminary application should be comprised of:

• Title
• Project duration
• Support requested
• Chief investigator and consortium, i.e., a group of clinical centers from one or more EU countries that will submit under one application
• Public summary
• Background
• Objectives
• Project plan (with a Gantt chart)
• Existing infrastructure
• Preliminary budget
• Relevant publications

The expressions of interest will be validated by ESCRS staff and the complete applications will be shared with an external panel of expert topic reviewers that will score and provide expert review on the proposals.

ESCRS staff will consolidate the reviews and rank the proposals accordingly. The results will then be shared with the ESCRS Research Committee which will review and decide on the expressions of interest to be invited for a full proposal.

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2. Full proposal

The top-ranked applications that exceed a score threshold will be invited to submit a detailed proposal.

The full proposal should include:

• CV of chief investigator
• CV of co-applicants
• Study team expertise on similar clinical trials
• Trial management
• Study design:
  • Trial design
  • Statistical considerations
  • Recruitment plan
• Detailed budget

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Independent review panel for selection of investigational sites

The final submissions will be reviewed and scored by an independent review panel.

This review panel will make a final selection and forward this recommendation to the Research Committee for approval.