Outcomes of transcorneal electrical stimulation therapy in the early stages of retinitis pigmentosa

BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the effect of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) therapy in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed TES therapy in 21 patients with RP in 12 sessions with 1-week intervals. The following parameters obtained before and after the TES therapy were compared statistically; the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), Ishihara color vision level, multifocal electroretinography (mf-ERG) response, automated visual field (VF) outcome, and the 25-item low vision quality-of-life (LVQOL) questionnaire points. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (6 females; 15 males) was 31.67 ± 9.80 years (20–50 years). While increases in BCVA level, color vision level, mf-ERG response in p1 amplitude of ring 1, and LVQOL questionnaire points were statistically significant, changes in VF test and other mf-ERG responses were not. Twenty of the patients (95.24%) stated that they were satisfied with the TES therapy. No considerable side effect was observed in any patient due to the therapy. CONCLUSION: The TES therapy may be an effective and safe treatment modality in slowing the RP progression, especially in the early stages of the disease. Longer-term follow-ups in larger patient populations are warranted.