Clinical Study
Eye (2009) 23, 1343–1344; doi:10.1038/eye.2008.287; published online 19 September 2008
LDL apheresis in the treatment of non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy: a 6-month follow-up study
S Guerriero1, G Giancipoli1, A Cantatore1, G Sacco1, P Brescia2, M T Saliani2 and A Ramunni2
- 1Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- 2Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Correspondence: A Ramunni, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, Bari 70124, Italy. Tel: +39 0805 478 383; Fax: +39 0805 478 675; E-mail: a.ramunni@nephro.uniba.it
Received 3 April 2008; Revised 26 August 2008; Accepted 26 August 2008; Published online 19 September 2008.
Abstract
Purpose
Verify the recovery of visual capacity after the administration of a combination of LDL apheresis (LA) and conventional therapy (CT). Design, prospective and interventional case series.
Methods
20 patients affected by NAION were randomly subdivided into two groups of 10 patients (Group 1 and Group 2). Group 1 underwent three sessions of LA associated with CT, whereas group 2 received only CT. At discharge and at the 6 months follow-up visit, assessment in both groups was made of the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the computerised visual field (CVF), comparing the findings with those at admission in each patient.
Results
Only the mean deviation (MD) at CVF was statistically improved in group 1 as compared with group 2 at discharge, judged against the values at admission (-11.08
6.51 vs -16.5310.03, P=0.039; -175.24 vs -14.149.42, respectively). However, this increase was not confirmed at 6 months (-16.83-10.72, group 1; -13.563.60 group 2).
Conclusion
In NAION, LA induced a short term improvement in the MD, but by 6 months this had disappeared.
Keywords:
LDL apheresis, NAION, microcirculation disturbances
