Ozone therapy in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Copello M.1, EguГ­a F.2, MenГ©ndez S.3 and MenГ©ndez N.1.
1Retinitis Pigmentosa National Reference Center, “Dr. Salvador Allende” Hospital, Cuba.
2″RamГіn Pando Ferrer” Ophthalmologic Hospital, Cuba.
3Ozone Research Center, Cuba.
ABSTRACT

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by progressive night blindness. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of ozone therapy in patients with RP. A controlled, randomized, double blind clinical trial involving 68 patients was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: ozone, patients were treated with ozone by rectal administration (dose = 10 mg), during 15 sessions; control, as ozone group, but using oxygen. The main outcome variable was the visual field area (VFA). Results demonstrated a significant improvement (SI) in 88.2 % of patients treated with ozone in comparison with 23.5 % achieved in the control group. In the ozone group, VFA tend to stabilize beyond a mean time of 6.83 months with a loose in SI afterward. A temporal positive effect of ozone therapy, over the natural course of RP, was found. It could be useful to apply ozone therapy in the first stages of the disease and at six-month intervals in order to enhance visual capabilities in RP patients.