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Additive Effect of Erythropoietin on Conventional Treatment of Methanol Induced Toxic Optic Neuropathy
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| M Pakravan , H Esfandiari , N Sanjari , E Ghahari , K Hassanpour |
| Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (1022 Views) |
Purpose: To investigate the effect of intravenous erythropoietin (EPO) in adjunction to intravenous steroid and conventional treatment protocol in patients with MTON.
Methods: In this non-randomized prospective interventional comparative case series, eleven patients diagnosed with MTON, received intravenous EPO (10000 IU twice a day) for 3 days combined with intravenous methylprednisolone (500 mg twice a day for 5 days) followed by oral prednisolone 1mg/kg for two weeks, and vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid (EPO group). These patients were compared with a historical control group who had received similar treatment except EPO. Our main outcome measures were Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness (PRNFLT), and visual field Mean Deviation (MD).
Results: Patients in both groups had better final BCVA at the third month. Mean BCVA improved significantly from 2.93±0.55 to 1.75±1.16 LogMAR at month 3 (p < 0.001) in the EPO group and from 2.65±0.68 to 2.19±0.75 at final visit in the control group (p = 0.001). Comparing two groups, Final BCVA was significantly better in the EPO group (P= 0.012). Although the mean PRNFLT decreased in both groups, it was significantly thinner in the control group at final follow-up (53±6 vs. 77±26 microns, respectively; p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Intravenous EPO in combination with systemic steroid appears to be an effective treatment in patients with MTON. This combinational therapy may supplement additional benefits to the systemic steroid regimen.
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| Keywords: Erythropoietin, Methanol-induced Toxic Optic Neuropathy, Toxic Neuropathy |
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Full-Text [PDF 248 kb]
(175 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Ophthalmology
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