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

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Abstract

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 µA, 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

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.

Conclusions

Visual acuity can be improved after TES without major complications in some patients with NAION or TON. These results suggest that TES should be considered as a new treatment for eyes with optic neuropathy. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:266–273 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

    Takashi Fujikado, Takeshi Morimoto & Yoshitaka Okawa

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan

    Kenji Matsushita, Hiroshi Shimojo & Yasuo Tano

Authors
  1. Takashi Fujikado
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  2. Takeshi Morimoto
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  3. Kenji Matsushita
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  4. Hiroshi Shimojo
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  5. Yoshitaka Okawa
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  6. Yasuo Tano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takashi Fujikado.

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Fujikado, T., Morimoto, T., Matsushita, K. et al. Effect of Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy or Traumatic Optic Neuropathy. Jpn J Ophthalmol 50, 266–273 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-005-0304-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-005-0304-y

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