Long-Term Effects of Nilvadipine against Progression of the Central Visual Field Defect in Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Extended Study

Purpose. To assess the long-term effects of nilvadipine on the progression of central visual field defect in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods. Patients with RP were randomly divided into a treated group receiving oral nilvadipine and a control group. Progression of RP was evaluated with MD slope and the average sensitivity of the central 2 degrees (Delta CENT4). Results. The mean MD slopes were -0.55/-0.39 (right/left eyes, n = 19) dB/year in the treated group and -1.37/-1.15 (right/left eyes, n = 22) dB/year in the control group (P = 0.016/0.050, resp.). In both eyes, however, no statistical difference was observed between the two groups for the Delta CENT4 values. Conclusion. Although we confirmed that nilvadipine significantly retarded the progression of the average of MD value defects in the central 10 degrees, it was not specific for the central 2 degrees of the visual field in RP.