Transcorneal electrical stimulation of retina to treat longstanding retinal artery occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) of the visual system on long-standing retinal artery occlusion (RAO).


METHODS
Open labeled, case series.


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.
Inomata
Koichi
K
Laboratory of Visual Physiology, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan.
Shinoda
Kei
K
Ohde
Hisao
H
Tsunoda
Kazushige
K
Hanazono
Gen
G
Kimura
Itaru
I
Yuzawa
Mitsuko
M
Tsubota
Kazuo
K
Miyake
Yozo
Y
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*