The impact of biologically active additive complexes “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with lutein” and “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with chromium, zinc and selenium” on the functional state of the eye in patients with chronic ischemic optic neuropathy

Purpose : to assess the effect of the biologically active additive complexes “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with lutein” and “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with chromium, zinc and selenium” on the functional state of the eye in patients with chronic ischemic optic neuropathy (ION). Material and methods . The study involved 60 patients (111 eyes) aged 51–92 (ave. 62.2 ± 1.2 yrs) with chronic ION divided into three groups of 20 patients each. Group I received the first additive, “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with lutein”; Group II received the second additive, “Doppelherz® active Vitamins for eyes with chromium, zinc and selenium”; and Group III receive no additives at all. The additives were taken according to the standard scheme — 1 tab per os during the first meal for 2 months. All patients were examined before the start and 2 months hereafter. Results . A positive trend in best corrected visual activity (BCVA) were noted in groups I and II. Group I showed an increase in the critical flicker frequency (CFF) of the red and blue spectra by 1.06 and 1.33 %, respectively, a decrease in the green spectrum by 2.7 % (p < 0.05), and an improvement in the visual fields by 0.61 %. Group II demonstrated an increase in the CFF of the red spectrum by 1.2 %, green — by 2.7 %, blue — by 0.8 %, and an improvement in visual fields by 3.08 %. Group III showed a negative trend in visual functions: BCVA dropped by 1.92 %, and CFF decreased in the green and blue spectra by 3.34 % (p < 0.05) and 0.1 %, respectively. Retinal photosensitivity improved in group I by 0.31 %, in group II by 0.59 % (p < 0.05), in group III it dropped by 0.56 %. A survey showed a decrease in asthenic and asthenopic complaints by patients of groups I and II. Conclusion . A positive effect of both biologically active additive complexes on the functional state of the eye has been revealed.