Effect of Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy or Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

摘要

Purpose : To determine whether transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) can improve the visual function of patients with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) or traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). Methods : Eight consecutive patients at the Osaka University Hospital were studied. TES (600-800 ,mu A, 20 Hz, 30 min) was applied once each to three eyes with NAION and to five eyes with TON, using a contact lens-type stimulating electrode. The primary outcome measurement was the change in visual acuity at 1 to 3 months after TES. An improvement in visual acuity was defined as a change of > 0.3 log (minimum angle of resolution) (logMAR) units. The side effects of TES were also investigated. Results I After TES application, the visual acuity improved in two patients with NAION and in four patients with TON. Visual acuity did not worsen in any of the eyes. Only a mild superficial punctuate keratopathy was observed in all eyes immediately after TES, and it healed by the next day.