title: Electrical Stimulation as a Means for Improving Vision.
abstract: Evolving research has provided evidence that noninvasive electrical stimulation (ES) of the eye may be a promising therapy for either preserving or restoring vision in several retinal and optic nerve diseases. In this review, we focus on minimally invasive strategies for the delivery of ES and accordingly summarize the current literature on transcorneal, transorbital, and transpalpebral ES in both animal experiments and clinical studies. Various mechanisms are believed to underlie the effects of ES, including increased production of neurotrophic agents, improved chorioretinal blood circulation, and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. Different animal models have demonstrated favorable effects of ES on both the retina and the optic nerve. Promising effects of ES have also been demonstrated in clinical studies; however, all current studies have a lack of randomization and/or a control group (sham). There is thus a pressing need for a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that govern clinical success and optimization of stimulation parameters in animal studies. In addition, such research should be followed by large, prospective, clinical studies to explore the full potential of ES. Through this review, we aim to provide insight to guide future research on ES as a potential therapy for improving vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: amer.sehic@odont.uio.no.
authors.forename: Amer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sehic
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Kin-Sang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Rima M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Corraya
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Dong F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway; Faculty of Health Sciences, University College of South East Norway, Notodden, Norway.
authors.forename: Tor P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Utheim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012106:Research; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*