Efficacy of levodopa and carbidopa on visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

Abstract

The benefit of levodopa and carbidopa therapy in improving visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic neuropathy (NAION) was evaluated. Twenty-four subjects with NAION were randomly selected to receive either levodopa-carbidopa or a placebo. Visual functions of neither the study nor the placebo groups showed improvement. Side effects of levodopa such as dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmia were seen. Levodopa and carbidopa had no therapeutic effect on visual recovery in our patients with NAION.