[FG] Feltgen Nicolas

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Basel pursues a broad and integrated research strategy that spans cutting‑edge clinical trials, translational research, and academic innovation, all aimed at improving the understanding of ocular diseases and advancing therapeutic options to prevent vision loss. Modern ophthalmology relies on high‑precision, safe, and minimally invasive technologies, and the department is actively involved in international research efforts that address these demands.

Within the Clinical Trial Center (CTC), a dedicated team conducts a diverse portfolio of interventional and observational studies on behalf of a wide range of sponsors and collaboration partners. Among these, the VELODROME study exemplifies a complex, industry‑sponsored drug trial and is one of currently eighteen ongoing studies at the CTC. Most of these clinical studies focus on new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for retinal diseases, enabling both trial participants and future patients affected by similar conditions to directly benefit from the generated knowledge. The CTC is regularly certified by the European Vision Clinical Research Network (EVICR.net), which brings together leading ophthalmic clinical research groups across Europe and ensures standardized processes and the highest quality standards for the conduct of clinical trials.

In addition, the department actively contributes to the working group for clinical studies within the Swiss Ophthalmological Society (SOG) and the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG), strengthening its role in the regional and international research community. Complementing this clinical trial activity, the academic research groups form the second cornerstone of the department’s scientific mission. These groups focus on the development and assessment of new diagnostic technologies, the investigation of vascular retinal diseases, the study of rare inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), and research on ocular tumors and ophthalmic pathology. Through these academic units, medical students and researchers have the opportunity to pursue doctoral and habilitation pathways, fostering the next generation of clinician‑scientists in ophthalmology.

The department also maintains extensive research collaborations with institutes in Basel and throughout Switzerland, including strong partnerships with the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB). Together, these interconnected efforts create a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment committed to scientific excellence, clinical relevance, and meaningful innovation in eye care.