The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of L-Dopa on the progression of retinitis pigmentosa.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of progressive hereditary diseases that diffusely affects the functioning of photoreceptors and the pigment epithelium. It may be speculated that a protective effect on the pigment epithelium, as it is supposed for L-Dopa, can slow the progression of the disease or even lead to an, at least transient, improvement of visual functions. To evaluate the effect of L-Dopa on retinitis pigmentosa progression, visual acuity, electroretinogram and visual field will be preformed regularly.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
sinemet 200/50 1/2 tablet b.i.d. for 2 days and then t.i.d for 6 months
Beirut Eye Specialist Hospital
Beirut, Lebanon
RECRUITINGChange in Electroretinogram
the electric response to light stimuli of the retina, in millivolt, will be measured. The electroretinogram shows a-waves (elicit information about the function of the photoreceptors) and b-waves (elicit information about other neurosensory structure of the retina)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years
Change in Visual Acuity
Visual acuity will be measured using Snellen chart
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years
Change in Visual Field
Using 24-2 Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer, the progress in visual field defect will be measured, comparing mean deviation (dB) and pattern standard deviation (dB)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years
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