Efficacy of levodopa and carbidopa on visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 287 - 290
• Main Authors: Simsek, T., Eryilmaz, T., Acaroglu, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.2005; Blackwell; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Carbidopa - therapeutic use; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Drug therapy; Eyes & eyesight; Female; General aspects; Humans; Ischaemic optic neuropathy; levodopa; Levodopa - therapeutic use; Male; Medical disorders; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic - complications; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic - drug therapy; Placebo effect; Prospective Studies; Side effects; Treatment Outcome; Vision Disorders - drug therapy; Vision Disorders - etiology; Vision Disorders - physiopathology; Visual Acuity - drug effects; visual function; Agonist; Carbidopa; Optic neuropathy; Anterior; Cardiovascular disease; Lyases; Arteritis; Arterial disease; Vascular disease; Ischemia; Carboxy-lyases; Levodopa; Ischaemic optic neuropathy; visual function; Human; Decarboxylase; Nervous system diseases; Enzyme; Treatment efficiency; Enzyme inhibitor; Antiparkinson agent; Medicine; Carbon-carbon lyases; Eye disease; Cranial nerve disease; D2 Dopamine receptor
• ISSN: 1368-5031; 1742-1241
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2005.00462.x

Summary The benefit of levodopa and carbidopa therapy in improving visual function in patients with non‐arteritic anterior ischaemic neuropathy (NAION) was evaluated. Twenty‐four subjects with NAION were randomly selected to receive either levodopa–carbidopa or a placebo. Visual functions of neither the study nor the placebo groups showed improvement. Side effects of levodopa such as dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmia were seen. Levodopa and carbidopa had no therapeutic effect on visual recovery in our patients with NAION.