News

Happy International Clinical Trials Day!

Mark Prussian · May 20, 2025 ·

On May 20, 1747, British Royal Navy Surgeon James Lind conducted the first modern clinical trial to find a treatment for scurvy. The treatment that had subjects consume two oranges and one lemon per day, for a six day period, proved to have the most rapid and visible effects.

By commemorating this historical day, we honor the patients, doctors, staff, and researchers who participate in clinical trials all over the globe!

To enroll in a clinical trial, or learn more, visit our Clinical Trials page

We Have Been Named a Top Workplace in Kentucky

Mark Prussian · March 7, 2025 ·

The Eye Care Institute, and our sister company, Butchertown Clinical Trials, proudly announce that we have been named a Top Workplace in Kentucky by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Research Group.

“Our ‘We Are The Yes Practice’ model emphasizes meeting patient expectations and offers a superior working environment to our employees. This is best achieved when patient needs are addressed first, without sacrificing our staff’s best interest,” said Mark Prussian, CEO of The Eye Care Institute and Butchertown Clinical Trials. “The ‘Yes Practice’ model stresses patient and staff well-being. It offers our doctors career satisfaction and motivates their ability to provide excellent patient care.”

“The varying backgrounds and experiences of our staff strengthen us as a healthcare organization. Therefore, we commit to always hiring the best candidate for each open position. Employing well-rounded people, offering fair pay and benefits, meeting the work/life needs of our staff, and providing continuous training results in our staff having a sense of pride in their workplaces, and this results in a better patient experience,” Prussian continued.

The inclusion of The Eye Care Institute and Butchertown Clinical Trials as a Top Workplace reflects our ongoing dedication to staff contentment and consistent efforts to improve the workplace experience. “We believe patients of The Eye Care Institute are well-served by these commitments, as we have nearly 2,000 5-star Google reviews,” Prussian said.

Olivia Kaiser Promoted to Clinical Trials Site Manager

Mark Prussian · November 22, 2024 ·

Olivia Kaiser, who began her career in clinical trials as a subject recruiter and was promoted to Clinical Trials Team Lead, has been promoted to Site Manager at Butchertown Clinical Trials.

In Olivia’s new role, she will have expanded planning and trial coordination duties as the site is poised for additional growth and is currently undergoing an expansion allowing it to double the number of subjects screened for enrollment in new trials.

“I am delighted to take on this new role as Site Manager at Butchertown Clinical Trials, where I can leverage my passion for advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes. I plan to continue leading our team with a commitment to excellence; my goals include streamlining our research processes and resources, enhancing patient enrollment and engagement, and ensuring the highest level of data integrity and quality for our sponsors,” Olivia said.

Olivia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Louisville. She is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, a trade industry group.

Butchertown Clinical Trials is an ophthalmic, primary care, nutrition, observational, and specimen collection clinical trial site. Having completed hundreds of clinical trials and with 21 FDA-approved drugs and devices it is the largest and most successful privately operated ophthalmic clinical trial site in the U.S.

You May Benefit By Participating in a Clinical Trial

Mark Prussian · July 18, 2024 ·

Our Butchertown Clinical Trials division works with our doctors and patients to test new treatments, or variations of existing treatments, to determine if they are more effective, or safer than existing treatments, and therefore worthy of FDA approval.

Under the direction of The Doctors of The Eye Care Institute, our clinical-trials-only staff of almost a dozen science-oriented individuals works to ensure our trials are conducted under strict safety standards and within the guidelines of pharmaceutical companies or device manufacturers.

With 21 FDA approvals and having completed hundreds of clinical trials, we believe we are the largest and most successful ophthalmology clinical trial center in the US that is not affiliated with a university or medical school.
When you participate in a clinical trial you receive:

Medical care related to the trial at no cost
Trial medication at no cost
Financial reimbursement for your time
The satisfaction of knowing that your participation may lead to a medical breakthrough.

At Butchertown Clinical Trials, we only participate in trials that we believe are low risk and for which scientific advancement has a reasonable chance of success. You always receive a comprehensive Informed Consent so you can understand the risks and benefits of the trial.

We are currently seeking patients for trials involving these conditions:
Dry Eye Disease, Corneal Disease, Glaucoma, Blepharitis, and more.

Taking A Weight Loss Drug and Worried About Vision Loss?

Mark Prussian · July 18, 2024 ·

A recent study* was published showing an increase in eye disease, for those taking Semaglutide, GLP-1 Antagonist, for weight loss.

Two of these three medications, Ozempic and Rybelsus, are FDA-approved for treating Type II Diabetes. These are often used “off-label” for weight loss. Wegovy is FDA-approved for those 12 and over to treat obesity.

The increase in the incidence of one eye disease, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) happens when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked. The blockage may cause sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye.

Mounjaro has a different method of action and was not included in this research study.

Our Advice:

We are NOT recommending discontinuing the use of these weight-loss drugs at this time.

For most adult patients, and all of our patients with diabetes, we always strongly encourage an annual dilated comprehensive eye exam. This is everyone’s best assurance of finding vision-threatening conditions early enough to allow for treatment and prevention options.

Anytime you experience sudden vision loss or pain, you are encouraged to call us. Our phones are answered 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

*Health research takes many forms. This study was a thorough, peer-reviewed analysis of those taking Semaglutide, covering almost 1,800 patient charts, over three years, at one hospital. Many scientists believe a different type of research project, a Phase IV (post-marketing) randomized, controlled, clinical trial of those taking Semaglitude would best confirm the results of this research.