Clinical use of pentoxifylline in haemorrhagic disorders of the retina
Iwafune, Y.; Yoshimoto, H.
Pharmatherapeutica 2(7): 429-438
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0308-051X PMID: 6163165 Document Number: 160478
The clinical effect of pentoxifylline, given orally at daily doses of 300-600 mg for 3 mo., was studied in 20 patients (23 eyes) with retinal hemorrhage due to disturbances of retinal circulation, i.e., branch and/or total obstruction of the central retinal vein, obstruction of the central retinal artery, diabetic retinopathy and polycytemic retinopathy. Similar patients (22, 27 eyes) formed a control group and were treated primarily with conventional fibrinolytic agents only. In the group treated with pentoxifylline, there was significantly earlier absorption of the hemorrhage and significantly less appearance of neovascularization. In some cases, prominent improvement of the arm-to-retina circulation time and a marked decrease in avascular areas were obtained. The difference in the improvement of visual acuity between the group treated with pentoxifylline and controls was less pronounced. Screening tests for hemorrhagic disorders were carried out in the group treated with pentoxifylline before and after administration. No side effects causing hemorrhagic disorders were found. Pentoxifylline is effective in preventing retinal or intra-vitreal neovascularization due to retinal ischemia and in hastening recovery from these diseases.