Eyetronic Optic Nerve Stimulation Therapy - Restoring Vision & Visual Field | Germany

EYETRONIC Therapy is a non-invasive electrical stimulation treatment developed for patients experiencing visual field loss due to glaucoma or other optic nerve disorders. The procedure uses individually adjusted alternating-current pulses delivered through special stimulation goggles. An EEG cap records brain activity while the treatment team monitors the stimulation process. The system for treating visual field loss is a CE-certified medical device, in accordance with EU regulations. So far, over 1200 patients have been treated with the EYETRONIC Therapy. In about 63% of treated eyes, the progression of the visual field loss could be stopped, or even an improvement of the visual field could be observed at the one-year follow-up. The ONS therapy can therefore be a good option to treat visual field loss in glaucomatous progression. The therapy aims to stimulate surviving retinal ganglion cells and support recovery or stabilization of visual field function. It may be considered for selected patients whose optic nerve damage has left viable nerve cells. Treatment suitability depends on the underlying condition and the patient's clinical findings. Results vary, and improvement cannot be guaranteed. The therapy should not replace standard glaucoma treatment or other necessary ophthalmological care. The therapy is based on the knowledge that tissue is not always completely destroyed when the optic nerve is damaged. Many cells survive but are malfunctioning. The innovative optic nerve stimulation (ONS) has a two-fold effect: First, the so-called neuroprotection prevents further degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. This protective effect also forms the basis for the second effect, the so-called neurorestoration. By means of targeted rhythmic current stimuli, the metabolism of the nerve cells is stimulated, which protects them from further degeneration and supports the recovery of their neuronal function. The system consists of an electrical stimulator combined with a high-precision EEG amplifier, referred to as the Patient Unit. Control electronics enable the communication between the two components of the Patient Unit. The patient wears special goggles and an EEG cap, which are connected to the Patient Unit. The therapist monitors the treatment via a Supervisor Unit and adjusts the treatment according to individual patient needs, based on the perception of phosphenes. The treatment consists of ten sessions, which take place on ten consecutive business days. One session takes about 60 minutes, including preparation. Some glaucoma patients continue to suffer from progressive visual field loss, despite therapeutic lowering of the intraocular pressure. For this group, innovative neuroprotective therapies, such as electrical optic nerve stimulation (ONS), are indicated. Preclinical studies and clinical data have demonstrated their safety and efficacy. A recent study collected long-term perimetry results after ONS. 70 glaucoma patients aged between 45 and 86 years, who showed a progressive visual field loss despite therapeutic lowering of the intraocular pressure ≤18 mmHg, were treated with ONS. We stimulated the optic nerve transcutaneously, with electrical stimulation on both sides until phosphenes were perceived (max. 1. 2 mA; 5-34 Hz). Immediately before ONS therapy and about 1 year after ONS therapy, we performed standard white/white threshold perimetry of the central visual field (Octopus 300, 30°). Mean defect (MD) was defined as the primary outcome parameter. Follow-up perimetry was conducted in 70 patients with 101 eyes 362±45 days (mean±SD) after ONS therapy. 64 eyes in 49 patients showed no further disease progression and, in some cases, improvement after one year.