Clinical Studies and Research Projects

Years: 2026 – ongoing

Sponsor: University Eye Hospital Svjetlost

Principal Investigator: Ivan Gabrić, MD

STELLAR is a prospective, multicentre observational study of outcomes after transepithelial lenticule removal (TLR) for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. The procedure is performed with the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser. The study collects real-world clinical data on visual acuity, refractive accuracy, corneal healing and quality of vision. It will include up to 350 patients at up to seven centres in Europe, Asia and South America, with follow-up of up to 12 months after surgery. Participation in the study does not affect treatment decisions and involves no additional examinations or procedures.

Years: 2026 – ongoing

Sponsor: MSD

Principal Investigator: Prof. Nataša Drača, MD, PhD

A randomized, double-masked, multicenter, 3-arm, pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating the investigational medicine MK-8748, administered by intravitreal injection, in patients with diabetic macular edema. The trial compares MK-8748 head-to-head with the standard treatment aflibercept (2 mg) to determine whether it can achieve comparable visual outcomes, potentially with a longer interval between injections.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07705555

Years: 2026 – ongoing

Sponsor: EyeBiotech

Principal Investigator: Prof. Nataša Drača, MD, PhD

A randomized, double-masked, multicenter, 3-arm, pivotal Phase 2/3 study evaluating a new intravitreal medicine, EYE201/MK-8748 (tiespectus), which uniquely combines Tie2-receptor activation with VEGF inhibition. The study is designed for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and compares this investigational treatment against the current standard therapy, aflibercept.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07440225

Years: 2026 – ongoing

Funding: within the institutions’ regular activities

Principal Investigators: Ivan Gabrić, MD (Svjetlost Eye Clinic); Assoc. Prof. Tomislav Kuzman, MD, PhD (University Hospital Centre Zagreb)

An inter-institutional project between University Hospital Centre Zagreb and Svjetlost Eye Clinic that aims to develop the first standardised national protocol for the early diagnosis and treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. This is a rare but serious corneal infection that most often affects contact lens wearers. Svjetlost Eye Clinic contributes diagnostics using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), while University Hospital Centre Zagreb provides treatment according to a standardised therapeutic protocol. The project also includes mutual training of specialists from both institutions.

Collaborators from Svjetlost Eye Clinic are Prof. Maja Bohač, MD, PhD; Mateja Jagić, MD, PhD; and Krešimir Gabrić, MD.

Years: 2026 – ongoing

Protocol: M24-528

Sponsor: AbbVie Inc.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ratimir Lazić, MD, PhD

A randomized, controlled, partially masked, Phase 3b study investigating a one-time gene therapy, surabgene lomparvovec (ABBV-RGX-314), as a potential long-term treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Conducted in a real-world context, the trial compares injection burden, safety, and long-term preservation of visual acuity between the gene therapy and standard intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07007065

Years: 2024 – ongoing

Location: Svjetlost Eye Clinic

Principal Investigator: Prof.  Nataša Drača, MD, PhD

SING IMT™ is an advanced injectable intraocular telescope implanted in one eye of patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration, magnifying the image 2.7× and redirecting it onto healthier retinal areas to reduce the functional impact of central vision loss. Svjetlost was the first in Croatia to introduce this surgical procedure, and the clinical team has implanted 16 devices as of September 2026. The program has since been successfully incorporated into the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) system under the Special Program for the Detection and Treatment of Blindness through Implantation of the SING IMT™ Implantable Miniature Telescope in the Treatment of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration, run in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Croatian Institute of Public Health.[

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11794482/

Years: 2022 – 2024

Funding: European Union – NextGenerationEU

Principal Investigator: Ivan Gabrić, MD

Retina Lux and Dioptrija Lux are innovative ophthalmic services for the early detection and prevention of vision loss caused by diabetes, and for the early detection of myopia and other refractive errors.

Status: completed

Year: 2023

Sponsor: Roche

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ratimir Lazić, MD, PhD

A global, non-interventional, real-world study following treatment-naïve patients receiving faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. VOYAGER documents everyday clinical and anatomical outcomes and the safety of this anti-VEGF/anti-Ang2 therapy outside the controlled setting of a clinical trial.

Status:completed

https://www.escrs.org/channels/eurotimes-articles/faricimab-voyager-study

Years: 2022 – 2023

Sponsor: Opthea

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ratimir Lazić, MD, PhD

A Phase 3, multicenter, double-masked, randomized study evaluating whether adding the investigational drug OPT-302, which targets an additional growth factor pathway (VEGF-C/D), to standard aflibercept therapy improves outcomes for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The trial compared this combination treatment against aflibercept monotherapy.

Status: completed

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/coast/

Years: 2020 – 2023

Funding: European Regional Development Fund

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ratimir Lazić, MD, PhD

A co-financed research and development project that created two innovative diagnostic and treatment protocols for the early detection and timely management of ocular neuropathy. The goal was to enable earlier diagnosis and preventive treatment of peripheral neuropathic eye disease, reducing the risk of vision loss.

Status: completed

Years: 2020 – 2022   |

Sponsor: Ophthotech Corporation

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ratimir Lazić, MD, PhD

A Phase 3, randomized, double-masked, controlled study examining whether combining the anti-PDGF agent Fovista with standard ranibizumab (Lucentis) injections provides greater visual benefit than ranibizumab alone in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Visual acuity outcomes were compared between combination therapy and monotherapy over 24 months.

Status: completed

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01940900

Years: 2020 – 2022

Funding: European Union – European Regional Development Fund

Principal Investigator: Ivan Gabrić, MD

Through investment in business process innovation, the project improved the existing patient admission and discharge process and introduced an entirely new service delivery process, making it possible to commercialize the innovative Cornea Lux ophthalmic service.

It resulted in one new service in the “Health and Quality of Life” area of Croatia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3).

Status: completed

Years: 2013 – 2015

Principal Investigator: Prof. Ivana Mravičić, MD, PhD

A clinical study of ciclosporin (NOVA22017, 1 mg/ml) in the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children.

Status: completed