Jun 15 2011

Optic Glioma May Respond to Nerve Growth Factor Eye Drops

Published by at 9:42 pm under Optic nerve atrophy

Image via http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optic gliomas (OG) are rare brain tumors that affect one or both optic nerves or the optic chiasm (the spot where the optic nerves cross each other at the front of the brain).  It is very rare that OG should improve spontaneously, but a recent study looked at how a nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drop could help patients experiencing serious sight impairment due to low grade OG.

The study, published in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, involved one 45 year old woman who suffered from OG and long-standing optic nerve atrophy.  Administration of this NGF eyedrop over 60 days resulted in improved visual function. Her visual acuity increased by more than three lines, but her vision seemed to worsen 60 days post-treatment.

The researchers concluded that nerve growth factor eye drops could help patients suffering from optic glioma.  This study demonstrated no side effects.

Source: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, February 22, 2011

 

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