Diode Laser 810 nm as a potential treatment to improve visual function in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of the most widespread visually disabling diseases in the middle-aged and elderly population. The optic nerve damage appears to result from a perfusion insufficiency in the short posterior ciliary arteries leading to infarction of the retrolaminar portion of the optic disc. Induced Heat shock protein (Hsp) is known to have neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury of the central nervous system in mammals. Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) application to the optic nerve head induces Hsp70 expression. We hypothesize that Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) could be a novel method for improving and preserving the function of the optic nerve fibers in the eye with NAION. An 810-nm diode laser beam is focused to the center of the optic nerve head to induce Hsp. Controlled prospective and randomized clinical trial is necessary to confirm conclusively the effectiveness of this method.