New evidence of efficacy of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES)

27. February 2023

New evidence of efficacy of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES)

New analysis shows that OkuStim® therapy can slow progression in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

A new exploratory evaluation of a previous study has now provided further evidence of the effectiveness of OkuStim® therapy. The data show that after one year of TES treatment, visual field deterioration in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was slowed depending on the stimulation intensity.

Numerous approaches have been investigated in the past for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. At present, the possibilities of gene and stem cell therapy are being researched in particular, although little of this has been able to be adopted in clinical routine to date. OkuStim® therapy was used in 52 patients who participated in the study from 2011 – 2014. Retinal cells are stimulated by electrical impulses delivered from the outside – via the surface of the eye.

This “transcorneal electrical stimulation” (TES) worked in the study regardless of how advanced the patients’ visual field impairment was at the beginning of the therapy.

Of the patients included in the study (mean age: 46 years), 32 were treated with electrical stimulation between 0.1 and 1.0 mA in one eye at weekly intervals; 20 patients received sham treatment (placebo group). After one year of treatment, an average visual field decline of 2.1% was recorded in the TES-treated eyes and 5.8% in the (non-treated) fellow eyes, while the decline in the eyes from the placebo group was 7.5%. Thus, the decrease in visual field area measured by kinetic perimetry was 64% less in the eyes treated with TES than in the untreated eyes (p=0.013) and 72% less than in the placebo group (p=0.103). This slowing correlated with the strength of stimulation (p=0.047). Treatment was associated with transient mild dry eye symptoms in 23 stimulated patients.

According to the authors, slowing visual field decline with a neuroprotective therapy such as TES offers the chance to delay severe vision loss. It should therefore be used sensibly in patients as early as possible – as long as the centre of the retina is still largely intact and visual function is hardly impaired. The effect of TES in long-term use is being investigated in an ongoing study (Erprobungsstudie) (Kahle et al. 2021).

Here you can download the full press release on the current publication.

Click here to go directly to the publication.


Retina UK Konferenz 2021

27. March 2021

Retina UK Conferences 2021

OkuStim therapy featured in this year's Retina UK conference programme.

Retina UK’s Professionals’ and Annual Conferences will be held online in April and registration is now open.

We will introduce the OkuStim therapy as part of the ‘Update from Industry’ session in the programme of the Annual Conference on 17. April.
The OkuStim therapy is available in the UK now.

Professionals’ Conference
Friday 16 April 10.00am – 1.30pm

The Professionals’ Conference builds upon the success of the inaugural event in 2019, and will be held on Friday 16 April. It will start at 10.00am and finish at 1.30pm.

This Conference is aimed at professionals working with people affected by Inherited Retinal Dystrophies and their families.

There are two key themes to this year’s event, Genetics and Mental Health. Speakers include:

  • Dr Panagiotis Sergouniotis who will speak about the clinical importance of genetic testing and research
  • Dr Ian McCubbin, a Clinical Psychologist, who will discuss helping your clients with mental health challengess
  • Professor James Bainbridge, who will be joined by one of the first patients to receive the Luxturna treatment
  • The Retina UK team, who will be launching our new and exciting Unlock Genetics website.

There will be the opportunity to ask questions throughout the day. Registration is open for this free to attend conference. Please complete the online form at www.RetinaUK.org.uk/prof-conf.

Annual Conference and AGM
Saturday 17 April 10.00am – 2.45pm

All are welcome to join this online event. There will be an exciting line-up of speakers including:

  • Professor Alison Hardcastle, who will be giving us a run-down of the latest genetics research and information about genetic counselling and what it means for you
  • Dr Sam Da Silva, who will tell us about the latest in clinical research
  • The Retina UK team, who will be launching our new Unlock Genetics website.
  • Representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical device industry who will give presentations on some of their cutting edge work to find treatments.

There will be the opportunity to ask questions through the day. Registration is now open, please visit www.RetinaUK.org.uk/annual-conference and complete the form, or call the Retina UK team on +44 (0) 1280 821334.


RP, a rare disease

26. February 2021

RP, a rare disease

There are 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease. In Germany alone there are around 4 million. Most of the more than 6,000 different rare diseases are of genetic origin. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of them.
About one in 4,000 people is affected. There are therapies for only about 3% of rare diseases – the OkuStim therapy for RP is one of them. It can preserve your vision.

We are continuously working to make the OkuStim therapy more accessible. We are expanding our network – now also in Great Britain. Your feedback on the OkuStim therapy is our motivation to continue working for the treatment of rare diseases.

Best wishes,
Okuvision


New Competence Centre London

17. February 2021

New Competence Centre London

OkuStim Therapy now also in UK

The OkuStim therapy for retinitis pigmentosa is now also available for you in Great Britain.

Your contact at the Harley Street Eye Centre is Dr. Hakam Ghabra.

Harley Street Eye Centre

22A Harley Street
London W1G 9BP, UK

Dr. Hakam Ghabra

Email: info@eyesat22a.com
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 3968 2030
Mob.: +44 (0) 750 232 0504

Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) with OkuStim is the only available topically applied treatment for retinitis pigmentosa with clinically proven safety and efficacy. OkuStim therapy can slow the disease and progressive loss of visual field.