Transcorneal electrical stimulation of retina to treat longstanding retinal artery occlusion.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report the outcome of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) of the visual system on long-standing retinal artery occlusion (RAO).

DESIGN:

Open labeled, case series.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Two patients with central RAO (15 and 33 months respectively) and one with branch RAO (26 months) underwent TES therapy. Subjective and objective ophthalmological evaluations were performed before and after the TES. The ages of the patients were 38, 49, and 63 years. The TES (20 Hz biphasic pulses, 30 minutes, up to 1100 uA) was delivered by a bipolar contact lens electrode once a month for 3 months. Perimetric and/or electrophysiological examinations were performed as outcome measures.

RESULTS:

The visual acuity improved by more than 0.2 logMAR units in two cases, and the visual fields were improved in all three cases. The multifocal ERGs which had been reduced in the loci corresponding to the ischemic retinal area were improved after the treatment in two cases. Neither ocular nor systemic adverse effects were observed except for transient superficial keratitis.

CONCLUSIONS:

TES of the retina can improve retinal function in eyes with long-standing RAOs.

• Authors: Koichi Inomata, Kei Shinoda, Hisao Ohde, Kazushige Tsunoda, Gen Hanazono, Itaru Kimura, Mitsuko Yuzawa, Kazuo Tsubota, Yozo Miyake
• Journal: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol) Vol. 245 Issue 12 Pg. 1773-80 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 0721-832X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17593383 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Cornea (physiology)
• Electric Stimulation Therapy
• Electroretinography
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Photic Stimulation
• Retina (physiopathology)
• Retinal Artery Occlusion (physiopathology, therapy)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Visual Field Tests
• Visual Fields (physiology)