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Nerve growth factor eye drop administration improves visual function in a patient with optic glioma
Antonio Chiaretti1, Benedetto Falsini, Serenella Servidei
1Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. achiaretti@yahoo.it
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
|February 24, 2011
Summary
Nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drops may improve vision in patients with optic glioma (OG). This study found temporary visual gains in acuity and visual field after NGF treatment, with no side effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
Background:
- Optic gliomas (OG) rarely cause spontaneous visual improvement.
- Severe visual impairment is common in patients with OG affecting optic pathways.
Observation:
- A patient with a low-grade OG and optic nerve atrophy received topical nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drops.
- Treatment involved two 10-day courses of 2.5S murine NGF administered conjunctivally.
- Visual function was assessed using clinical, neuroradiologic, and electrophysiological tests.
Findings:
- Significant improvements in visual acuity, visual field, and visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitude were observed post-NGF treatment.
- These visual gains were temporary, with a trend toward baseline values by 60 days after treatment cessation.
- No ocular or systemic adverse effects were reported during the study.
Implications:
- Topical NGF may serve as a beneficial adjunctive therapy for visual loss in optic glioma patients.
- NGF might exert its effects by supporting residual viable optic nerve pathways.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term efficacy and potential of NGF in managing OG-related visual impairment.
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