Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. The objective of this study is to examine long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with (RP).
Methods
The research was implemented for a period of 3 years. For LLLT, a He-Ne Laser with continuous emission at 633 nm (01 mW/cm2) was used in patients with RP. In total, 14 patients (7 men and 6 women – 28 eyes) with RP of 56.5 ± 3.2 years were included in the study. Laser radiation was applied transpupillary 10 times for 3 min once in two days to the macula. Visual acuity was followed for a 3-year period. The ERG, Anomaloscope IF-2 TOMEY, Test 28 HUE de Roth Farnsworth-Munsell, Kugel perimeter, Humphrey perimetry, Fluorescein angiogram and Amsler test was used.
Results
The patients had complained of nyctalopia and decreasing vision. Biomicroscopy showed optic nerve atrophy, and narrow retinal vessels with a typical pattern of retinal pigmentation. Visual fields were reduced to a central residual of 10 degrees. Visual acuity remained unchanged in all patients with RP. There was a statistically significant increase in visual acuity (p < 0.001, end of study versus baseline) for RP patients for the period of 3 years after the LLLT. The mid-peripheral absolute concentric scotoma in RP was reduced after LLLT. No side effects were observed during the therapy.
Conclusions
This study shows that LLLT may be a novel long-lasting therapeutic option for RP. This is highly effective treatment that improves visual acuity for a long time.
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