Chronic Intravitreous Infusion of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Modulates Electrical Retinal Stimulation Thresholds in the RCS Rat

Abstract

Retinal sensitivity to electrical stimulation was preserved in animals treated with chronic intravitreous infusion of CNTF. These data suggest that CNTF-mediated retinal neuroprotection may be a novel therapy that can lower stimulus thresholds in patients about to undergo retinal prosthesis implantation. Furthermore, it may maintain the long-term efficacy of these devices in patients.