Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on preexisting visual field damage in normal tension glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on preexisting visual field damage in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG).


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked cross-over trial.


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with bilateral visual field damage resulting from NTG.


METHODS
Patients received 40 mg GBE, administered orally, three times daily for 4 weeks, followed by a wash-out period of 8 weeks, then 4 weeks of placebo treatment (identical capsules filled with 40 mg fructose). Other patients underwent the same regimen, but took the placebo first and the GBE last. Visual field tests, performed at baseline and at the end of each phase of the study, were evaluated for changes.


METHODS
Change in visual field and any ocular or systemic complications.


RESULTS
After GBE treatment, a significant improvement in visual fields indices was recorded: mean deviation (MD) at baseline versus MD after GBE treatment, 11.40 +/- 3.27 dB versus 8.78 +/- 2.56 dB (t = 8.86, P = 0.0001, chi-square test); corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD) at baseline versus CPSD after GBE treatment, 10.93 +/- 2.12 dB versus 8.13 +/- 2.12 dB (t = 9.89, P = 0.0001, chi-square test). No significant changes were found in intraocular pressure, blood pressure, or heart rate after placebo or GBE treatment. Any ocular and systemic side effects were recorded for the duration of the trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Ginkgo biloba extract administration appears to improve preexisting visual field damage in some patients with NTG.
Quaranta
Luciano
L
Centro Glaucoma, Clinica Oculistica Università di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Quaranta@med.unibs.it
Bettelli
Sabina
S
Uva
Maurizio G
MG
Semeraro
Francesco
F
Turano
Raffaele
R
Gandolfo
Enrico
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts