[Peptide bioregulators: delivery and efficacy]

To compare the neuroprotective properties of retinalamin administered in different ways among open-angle glaucoma patients with compensated intraocular pressure.

The study included 498 patients (eyes) with initial, moderate and advanced stages of glaucoma. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group I (n=110) received 5 mg intramuscular and 5 mg retrobulbar injections of retinalamin; group II (n=171) received 5 mg retrobulbar injection of retinalamin; group III received 5 mg intramuscular injection of retinalamin. The overall treatment dose contained 50 mg of retinalamin. All the patients underwent tonometry and static perimetry. Patients of group II with initial glaucoma and patients of group III with moderate glaucoma also underwent contrast sensitivity tests. The examinations were conducted before the treatment, and on months 3 and 6.

Visual acuity did not change significantly. In group I, after 3 months of treatment total threshold retinal sensitivity increased by 122 dB in patients with initial glaucoma, by 166 dB in moderate and by 124 dB in advanced glaucoma. Positive trend was observed in patients with initial and moderate stages of glaucoma by month 6. In group II, total threshold retinal sensitivity increased by 123 dB in initial glaucoma and by 110 dB in moderate; the result did not change by month 6. No significant changes were observed in patients with advanced glaucoma. In group III, total threshold retinal sensitivity increased by 142 dB in initial glaucoma, by 274 dB in moderate and by 148 dB in advanced glaucoma. Regression began on the sixth month. In group II, patients with initial glaucoma were observed to have decreased sensorimotor reaction times to achromatic stimuli within the studied areas of central visual field. In group III, patients with advanced glaucoma were also observed to have decreased sensorimotor reaction times to achromatic stimuli detected within 1° and 5° areas from the fixation point, but not in the 10° area.

Retinalamin is most effective in initial and moderate glaucoma stages. Intramuscular, retrobulbar and combined administration methods have comparable efficacy.