Neuroprotection of transcorneal electrical stimulation in an acute intraocular hypertension induced early glaucomatous model in gerbils

Abstract

Background : Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TcES) has been shown to reduce retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) death from various insults in animal models as well as human ocular diseases [1-6]. IOP lowering is the major effective management in acute angle closure glaucoma, however, there are still large portion of patients develop visual loss even under treatment. In addition, early effective management is very critical in pationes. Here we are aiming to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of TcES after acute ocular hypertension related injury. Method: To induce acute ocular hypertension (AOH), IOP was elevated to 85 mmHg for 1 hour by infusion of balanced salt solution in one eye of each gerbil connecting to a raised reservoir. In the treatment group, TcES was applied to the surgical eye immediately and 3 days after intraocular hypertension induction. In the control group, sham TcES was given to the surgical eye at the same time points. To measure the retinal function, full field flash electroretinogram was performed on day 3 and day 6. Number of RGCs and astrocytes were counted from superior, inferior, temporal and nasal areas by immunofluorescence stainning after the gerbils were sacrificed. Results: This AOH model induced significant RGCs loss in the superior area and retinal function reduction without not significantly changes of astrocytes. number. And TcES showed protection effect on the injured RGCs in the superior area and there is a trend of retinal function preservation in the scotopic b wave, photopic b wave and photopic negative response. Conclusion: In the very early glaucomatous model of AOH, TcES protected the RGCs from damage and potentially preserves retinal function.