ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATIONS AS NEUROPROTECTION IN GLAUCOMATOUS OPTIC NERVE ATROPHY

S. I. Anisimova, S. Y. Anisimova and V. V. Lednev

Department of Glaucoma, Eye Center "East Sight Recover" Moscow, Russia

Purpose. Investigation in vitro of the magnetic field biological activity. To determine the role of the indirect electromagnetic stimulations of the optic nerve in preventing or slow vision loss by enhancing retinal ganglion cells survival and increasing resistance to injury.

Methods. Retrospective, non-rabdomized comparitive trial. Electrostimulations with signal - 300 ma, frequence 10-20 Hz and magnetic influence - 50-60 mcT with frequence 1 Hz. Visual acuity, visual field and optic nerve electrophysiology were determined before and after treatment. Courses were repeated every 6 months during 3 years.

Results. Investigations in vitro showed that the influence of magnetic field with low frequency leads to the normalisation of the intracellular percent of Ca and activation of Ca connected ferments that restore the intracellular metabolism. 121 patients (296 eyes with far-advanced glaucoma) were under the observation. The mean percent of improvement in visual field were 14,7%, all patients received stabilisation of VF during these 3 years of follow-up (with IOP no more than 21 HG) and 1-45% of improvement in all cases just after the course.

Conclusion. Electroma stimulations can be one of the part in optic nerve neuroprotection. These treatment leads to the activation of the alive fibrills, functional change and restoration of the parabiotic nerve fibrills and metabolism in the ganglion cells.