Erythropoietin in Recurrent Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy

A 44-year-old man suffered sequential episodes of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in first the left and then right eye. He had suffered a previous episode of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in the right eye. Recent studies have shown neuroprotective properties of erythropoietin. Based on our previous studies on erythropoietin in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, we used intravenous erythropoietin in this patient. The patient received intravenous human recombinant erythropoietin. Visual functions significantly improved following treatment. Intravenous erythropoietin, as a neuroprotective agent, may herald a new modality of treatment in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.