Our clinical experience
in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa has indicated that Traditional Chinese
Medicine may have some potential in improving RP patients' night vision,
day vision, visual field and quality of life. Further well designed prospective
study is needed to investigate the efficacy of WVIP
treatment. We call for the cooperation of ophthalmologic research groups from
around world to advance this promising treatment.
The following
issues need to be verified in future research:
monitoring
system: developing a system of tests to monitor the progress of RP
patients objectively. We initially propose the following tests: Retina
exam and photography; ERG (electroretinograms); Humphrey visual field
test; visual acuity test; dark adaptation test; Colour vision test. We
welcome feed back from other professionals in the field.
to determine which subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa is
more responsive to WVIP
treatment. Treating various subtypes of RP patients with WVIP,
to determine which type is the most sensitive to treatment. The study
population should include all types of RP, and match with age, gender,
severity of vision impairment and length of disease. The sample size
should be 3 to 5 patients per subtype of RP.
to determine which therapy is most effective.
Our WVIP treatment employs three modalities---- acupuncture, Chinese
herbal medicine, and antioxidant supplements. Once we know which subtype
of RP is most sensitive to WVIP treatment, then we could select
about 40 patients of that type to be studied. The study could be divided
into 4 groups: group 1 is treated with acupuncture, group 2 is treated
with Chinese herbal medicine, group 3 is treated with antioxidants, group
4 is treated with WVIP---- all three modalities
together.
to study the mechanism through which WVIP
works. Much pharmacological research has demonstrated that Chinese herbal
medicine does have anti-mutagent effects on genes. Would Chinese herbal
medicine be an effective tool to manipulate the expression of genes in RP
patients? This is a field of research worthy to be explored.
