Current Studies

As of 2010, there have been no MCS treatment results studied in an objective clinical setting. Previous investigators have found by observation that using microcurrent stimulation improved vision, especially those patients in the early dry stage. All traditionally trained ophthalmologists were taught there is no therapy, for patients in the early dry stage. Because of the consistency of positive results with investigators in the past, it is imperative that this form of therapy be critically evaluated in a proper clinical study that has a control population. It should have detailed documentation on patients selected, and those who were given placebo treatment. There needs to be an objective way of evaluating the success of microcurrent stimulation to support what has been shown in the past.

Electric stimulation through microcurrent therapy is thought to increase blood flow and thereby increase retinal function. If retinal physiology is improved by using microcurrent stimulation therapy, then a before and after treatment using a modified electroretinogram as a diagnostic test should show an improvement. At present, an improvement in visual acuity is how success is now measured.

An electroretinogram (ERG) is a record of retinal action currents registered by a galvanometer similar to an electrocardiogram (EKG). The electroretinogram test may confirm what has been shown by previous observations. Such a study is now being considered. More details will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, patients with dry macular degeneration may still benefit visually from microcurrent therapy now. It is important that these patients treated with MCS be followed by an eye doctor for their visual progress so that the proper number of 6 minute cycles be performed daily.