Experience of use of the extended complex of ophthalmononeurostimulation in patients with non-exudative atrophic (geographic) form of age-of-aged macular degeneration

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-exudative atrophic (geographic) macular degeneration of the retina is one of the causes of irreversible loss of central vision in the elderly. Its frequency of occurrence increases with age.
 AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of the extended complex of ophthalmoneurostimulation in patients with non-exudative atrophic (geographical) form of age-related macular degeneration.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 49 people (98 eyes) with geographic retinal atrophy, whose average age was 741.7 years, who were divided into 2 groups: group 1 ― 24 patients (48 eyes) aged 71.01.8 years, who underwent an extended complex of ophthalmoneurostimulation, including a course of endonasal electrophoresis of vitamin B12 (for a course of 10 daily procedures), transocular infrared stimulation (for a course of 10 daily procedures), oxygen therapy with Heliox-21 breathing mixture (for a course of 10 daily procedures), and acupuncture (for a course of 10 daily procedures), and group 2 ― 25 patients (50 eyes) aged 751.1 years, who underwent a course of conservative treatment with vitamins according to existing ophthalmological standards, which served as a background in group 1. Visual acuity was assessed (visual acuity), indicators of optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography with angiography function of the retina, local photosensitivity, autofluorescence of the retina and bioelectric potential in pattern-electroretinography. Studies were performed before therapy, after 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, after a course of treatment.
 RESULTS: Visual acuity and anatomical parameters of the retina in high resolution (thickness of the central zone and the thickness of the choroid) did not change during the entire observation period. Analysis of light sensitivity showed a significant normalization of the average threshold of retinal photosensitivity when prescribing an extended complex of ophthalmoneurostimulation.
 CONCLUSION: Conducted extended course of physiotherapy significantly reduced the functional depression of the central visual field, coordinating with foci of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. Most likely, this positive effect was achieved due to the activation of the level of the ganglionic and bipolar layers of the retina.