Clinical study in patients with ocular ischemic diseases treated with enhanced external counterpulsation combined with drugs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect in patients with ocular ischemic diseases treated with enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) combined with drugs. A total of 65 patients with carotid artery stenosis were included in this study. Group A consisted of 31 patients (43 eyes) treated with EECP and medication, and group B consisted of 34 patients (49 eyes) treated with medication alone. The clinical effect was analyzed by comparing the visual acuity, visual fields and optical hemodynamics between the two groups of patients. Ocular ischemic diseases mainly included ischemic optic neuropathy, central (branch) retinal artery occlusion, ophthalmoplegia externa and ocular ischemic syndrome. Significant improvement of visual acuity, visual fields and optical hemodynamics was observed in the patients of group A, and statistically significant differences were found between groups A and B (?2=4.935, 7.124 and 5.478, respectively; P<0.05). In conclusion, ophthalmologists should observe for ocular ischemic diseases. The symptoms of the disease and the vision of the patient could be effectively improved by EECP, which has no evident complications. Copyright © 2013 Spandidos Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.