A pilot study of the effect of intravenous erythropoetin on improvement of visual function in patients with recent indirect traumatic optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous erythropoietin (EPO) on improvement of visual function and color vision in patients with recent indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).

METHODS

In a case series, 18 eyes of 18 patients with diagnosis of indirect TON with duration of less than 2 weeks underwent 20,000 IU intravenous EPO injections daily for 3 days. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and color vision were checked by Ishihara test before, 1, and 3 months after injections. BCVA and color vision were compared before, 1, and 3 months after injections.

RESULTS

The mean BCVA improved from a baseline of 2.21 ± 0.97 to 1.48 ± 1.29 and 1.31 ± 1.27 log MAR at months 1 and 3, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.001, P < 0.001). Color vision was changed from a baseline 2.24 ± 4.29 to 2.94 ± 4.64 and 3.41 ± 5.09 plates at months 1 and 3, respectively. We observed some qualitative improvement that was, however, statistically insignificant at the time of evaluation. (P = 0.063, P = 0.068).

CONCLUSION

This case series showed noticeable effect of EPO on improvement of visual function in patients with recent indirect TON.