Effects of topical coenzyme Q10 in conjunction with vitamin e on the pattern visual evoked potential, visual field, retinal ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10+vitamin E on the pattern visual evoked potential (VEP), visual field, retinal ganglion cell layer and RNFLthickness in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Ninety-six eyes from forty-eight POAG patients were enrolled. Forty-eight eyes were chosen for the study group, and fellow forty-eight eyes were chosen for the control group. At baseline, 6th month, and 12th month, the VEP, visual field parameters, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) (i.e.RNFL) were recorded for the 48 POAG eyes that underwent treatment with coenzyme Q10+vitamin E (Coqun (R)) in addition timolol+dorzolamide in study group and for the 48 POAG eyes that were only treated with timolol+dorzolamide in control group. Results: After 12 months, ganglion cell layer of both groups were decreased when compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Although the decrease in the ganglion cell layer in the control group was greater. After 12 months, in control group patients VEP P100 implicit times were increased, whereas P100 amplitudes were decreased (P < 0.05) .In study group patients, VEP P100 implicit times were decreased, whereas P100 amplitudes were increased (P < 0.05) when compared to baseline. At the end of 12 months in the study group, there was no significant change in the 32 patients ( %67), and the current visual field was preserved. (p > 0.05).In the control group at the end of the12 month, 24 (%50)patients had an increase in MD (p < 0.05). In both groups, the RNFL thickness at 12 months showed a significant decrease (p< 0.05) compared to baseline. Conclusion: Currently, neuroprotective drug studies in glaucoma are increasing daily.These results suggest that Coqun (R) administration in POAG had a beneficial effect on the inner retinal layer with consequent enhancement of the visual cortical responses (VEP improvement),visual field (decreased MD) and protect RNFL thickness.