Host: Roy Levit, MD Guest: Allen Verne, MD What are the advantages to using private practices, as opposed to academic institutions, for testing medications? Dr. Allen Verne, president of the American Retina Foundation and founder of the Bay Area Retina Associates, discusses in-office drug studies he is involved in, including one on diabetic retinopathy and another on photodynamic therapy, and why these studies can be particularly useful in determining the most effective treatments for patients with retinal conditions. Dr. Verne also discusses the process of separating the interests of the pharmaceutical companies sponsoring studies and those participating in the study. What are the financial and time costs to the practices involved in in-office medication studies? Dr. Roy Levit hosts.