Introduction

Woman's eye

Translation of the article published in Research Square in 2020

Management of retinitis pigmentosa with platelet-rich plasma or in combination with electromagnetic stimulation: One-year retrospective analysis of outcomes.

Methods

The study includes an analysis of 60 patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

The patients are divided into 3 groups with similar demographic characteristics.

The combined management group consists of 20 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (40 eyes) who received combined retinal electromagnetic stimulation and subtenon platelet-rich plasma as Group 1;

The subtenon platelet-rich plasma-only group consisted of 20 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (40 eyes) in Group 2;

The natural progression (control) group consists of 20 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (40 eyes) who received no treatment and were classified in Group 3.

The horizontal and vertical ellipsoid zone width, deviation index of the fundus perimetry, and changes in best-corrected visual acuity were compared within and between the groups after a one-year follow-up period.

Results

Regarding the results, percentage changes in the horizontal ellipsoid zone +1% were detected in Group 1, -2.85% in Group 2, -9.36% in Group 3 (Δp 1> 2> 3).

Percentage changes in the vertical ellipsoid zone were detected +0.34% in Group 1, -3.05% in Group 2, -9.09% in Group 3 (Δp 1> 2> 3).

Percentage variations in the deviation index of the fundus perimetry were detected +0.05% in Group 1, -2.68% in Group 2, and -8.78% in Group 3 (Δp 1> 2> 3).

Conclusions

In conclusion, platelet-rich plasma is a good source of growth factors, but its half-life is 4 to 6 months.

Autologous subtenon platelet-rich plasma may more effectively slow down the loss of photoreceptors when repeated as booster injections and combined with retinal electromagnetic stimulation.

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