FSM Stimulation of Various Retinal Diseases and Stroke

Laurie Chaikin, OD, OTR/L, FCOVD Alameda, CA www.optorehab.com

AMD protocol used on the following:

branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal artery occlusion cystoid macular edema, macular cyst cone dystrophy central serous retinopathy Proliferative diabetic retinopathy Glaucoma Retinitis pigmentosa

Branch Retinal vein occlusion: 2 cases

1-No change 2-No change

Blockage of small retinal vein causes area of loss of vision.

Thoughts: maybe if catch earlier, like within a week?

Cystoid Macular Edema: one eye

3 treatments OD 20/500 to 20/200

Fluid accumulation within the retina causing edema and blurred vision; reduced central vision.

Cone and Rod/cone Dystrophy (2 cases)

1: 7 treatments OD 20/50 to 20/30 OS 20/50-20/30

2: 4 treatments OD 8/63 to 8/50 OS 8/100 to 8/63-

Genetic disorder (incl. R.P.) can lead to severe loss of vision centrally or central and peripherally

Central Serous retinopathy 1 caseOD 20/50 to 20/30 OS 20/100 to 20/70

6 treatments over 10 weeks

Fluid detachment of neurosensory retina with reduced central VA. Improves spontaneously over 6 months; can recur. Corticosteroids contraindicated. For some reason they were prescribed on 1st visit, along with MCS.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: 1 eye

OS LP (light perception only) to Hand motion at 1 foot

Complete blockage of artery providing nutrition to the eye.

Earlier intervention provided better outcomes? Hyperbaric? Ozonation?

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (4 cases)

1: 2 treatments OD 20/80-20/50 OS HM 1’ to 20/1000

2: 4 treatments OD 20/400 to 20/320 OS no change

3: 4 treatments OD 20/63+ to 20/40 OS LP only no change

4: 6+ treatments FSM for PDR!

OD NLP (no light percept’n): to form & color perception

OS 20/40 to 20/20

Ischemia →BV growth →leaking blood→ traction & retinal detachment.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: 4 cases1: 6 treatments

OD: 20/200 to 20/125 OS: 20/100 no change

2: 2 treatments OU: 20/1000 to 20/1000 No change

3: 10+ treatments FSM for POAG; measurable changes in VF 4: 20 txs with FSM for POAG; measurable VF changes!

Retinitis Pigmentosa: 4 cases

1-LP only both eyes, no change

2- OD 20/125 to 20100+3 OS 20/800 no change • 3- 20/100 each eye no

change • 4- RP FSM program:

visual fields increased from 10 degrees to 40, Incr in contrast, color and stereo

72 y.o. female s/p left CVA w/ right hemianopsia

Unable to drive Mobility moderately impaired Feels unsafe and insecure in kitchen (loves to cook). Difficulty organizing activities. Had completed Novavision visual field restitution training (VRT) program, measurable improvements but still felt as above. FSM started 1.25 years after CVA & 1 year after VRT

Hemianopsia from stroke: initial VF

Therapy regimen

My 1st use of MCS for hemianopsia. Had come across one article on use of transcranial MCS in conjunction with NovaVision w/ positive results. (Spaulding Rehab Institute). Started conservatively, 6 weekly sessions then retest. Improvements noted so continued. Added VT: scanning to right; functional mobility tasks, spatial organization activities.

Post treatment: 18 txs, 6 weekly with 3 week break

Functional outcomes:

Able to cook; in fact able and willing to organize and cook complex dinner parties Able to drive; prefers to just drive locally, no freeway Husband reports that she is much more confidant; is more like or old sassy self Note: trained in use of “Peli hemianopsia prisms”. Vision was too good, caused confusion.

Future Vision I would like to see Frequency Specific Microcurrent used as a standard of care for all of the following: • Pre-surgical tissue prep • Post-surgical healing for ALL surgeries from

cataracts to glaucoma surgeries to retinal surgeries

• Enhancement of residual vision in disease conditions

• Control of inflammation, edema

Research study ideas

Corneal edema Reducing complications of cataract surgery Dry eye Hemianopsia Optic neuritis Early treatment of vein & artery occlusions

Thank you!