Frequently Asked Questions 

Therapeutic electrical stimulation is a relatively new technology developed in the 90s and has been used clinically since 1991. Repeated transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) doesn’t require an operation or the implantation of electrodes in the eye. Therapeutic electrical stimulation isn’t aimed at the replacement of damaged cells, but is focused on an increase in the usefulness of preserved neurons on the retina and on the improvement of conductivity along the optic nerve. Research has shown that, if such stimulation is performed over a period of several weeks, there’s significant activation of the visual system at all levels and throughout the brain. This new, functional state of the visual system is referred to as “ induced plasticity.” Such plasticity is strongly needed to restore sight when there’s deterioration as a result of optic-nerve damage.

In a large, multi-center trial, the technology was proven at clinical centers like Charite in Berlin and other major universities in Germany. These trials have been designed as randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled evidence class Ib studies. You can read more about the details of how the trials were conducted on our publication page.

Therapeutic electrical stimulation is a non-invasive and non-surgical way of the natural restoration of visual function, done by applying weak currents around the eye.

The therapy normally requires a stay in Berlin of 14 days, generally beginning on a Monday.

We provide our patients with the invitation letter that’s necessary when you apply for a visa.

We can organize transportation from the Berlin airports to the hotel or to our center on request, but it will be at your own expense.

The safety of the therapy was confirmed in clinical trials conducted in Germany in 2007 to 2013 and in a large group of patients treated in Russia in 1991 to 2004.

Side effects of therapeutic electrical stimulation may result when a patient has contraindications. If such contraindications are excluded – there’s no risk of adverse effects on vision or any other functions. Some undesired effects such as tiredness, weakness, a short-lived headache, and sleep disturbances have been observed, but they don’t require any therapy.

The results of the treatment depend on many individual factors. Advanced optic-nerve damage requires several courses of therapeutic electrical stimulation in combination with visual training to produce improvement. More than half of our patients have advanced damage, and, with our collective experience, we’ve been able to help them. Severe optic-nerve damage limits the possibility of significant improvement, but doesn’t exclude it. After your request, we’ll provide you with the list of medical records that we need to review your case.

Initial positive changes can be observed during the first 10 sessions of treatment. With repeated visual-field tests, the degree of change can be estimated after two weeks. In most cases, you should see a stable improvement within four to eight weeks after the treatment. In the case of progressive vision deterioration (e.g. glaucoma), therapeutic electrical stimulation is able to significantly slow down its progression or even stop it.

Complete improvement is possible only if there is minor damage to the optic nerves. In the case of moderate or severe damage, partial improvement is possible, but most still enjoy a significantly improved quality of life. Repeated courses allow a patient to regain more vision.

The improvement of quality of life is our main goal. We reach this through a combination of different medical approaches, such as therapeutic electrical stimulation, visual training, and medications. Once the vision restoration treatment starts, many of our patients have a positive response. Keep in mind that increased quality of life can be achieved only if the patient follows our prescribed recommendations. If you entrust your treatment to us, a Personalized Care Plan will be provided, and following our tested guidelines can increase your chances of significant vision restoration.

After you undergo the treatment, we offer you a vision-training program that we developed at our center. This program encourages stronger and more functional eyesight and is a valuable tool that will help in the process of regaining your eyesight.

The improvement is typically stable. Follow-up results one year after the treatment have shown 80 to 85% stable improvement. Instability can take place if there are factors that affect vision negatively, like elevated eye pressure for glaucoma patients.

The first positive change can usually be seen during the two weeks of your stay in Berlin, but stable results take place four to eight weeks after the treatment. A follow-up exam should be done in your country of residence two months after the therapy. You then send us the results, and we’ll make a comparison to see how much improvement there has been since your visit.

Follow-up results let us make a conclusion about how well you’re responding to the treatment and whether you can benefit from a second course. Usually, significant improvement of vision requires two to three courses of treatment.

1. Before treatment begins, we have a comprehensive discussion with you about your options, and we also perform a vision exam. Once we have the test results and understand the condition of your eyesight, we’ll provide you with a treatment plan. The possible results of the stimulation are discussed at that time.
2. Therapeutic sessions are performed for two weeks from Monday to Friday. Each session’s duration is 60-90 minutes.
3. After the treatment, you’re thoroughly examined and your results are discussed.
4. We provide you with a Findings Report that includes the results of your ophthalmological exam. We also develop a Personalized Care Plan with possible strategies for the upcoming months to suit your specific needs.

There are no specific restrictions connected to eye strain - you can use a computer and read. But you should not spend more than three hours a day in front of a computer during your stay in Berlin.

Some patients feel tired after the therapy, but a few hours of rest allows them to overcome it completely.

After the course of the treatment, it’s very important to follow our suggested regime for two to four weeks.

No, it’s not possible since this can be harmful. Therapeutic electrical stimulation can be performed only in a clinic and under a physician's supervision.

When there’s damage to one eye, the treatment focuses on that particular eye. But some electrical currents are sent to the healthy eye because both eyes are a part of one visual system that’s developed to provide communication between them. The healthy eye is used to getting more activation in the visual cortex, which is connected with the damaged eye. Stimulation of the non-affected eye has a more significant activation on the brain, which will support the affected eye.

Before we start therapeutic electrical stimulation, your healthy eye is checked with retinal tomography (OCT) to rule out any abnormalities. If they’re ruled out, there’s no risk of any deterioration to the healthy eye. Of course, if you’re concerned about your unaffected eye, the therapy can be done only for the damaged eye.

There are no our branches or facilities outside of Germany where such therapy can be received, and patients from different countries should be willing travel to Berlin.

We would recommend visiting our website, where patients stories are published. We update this list to publish more and more successful cases. Direct contact with a particular patient is possible, but it can be done only after his or her permission is provided. Once they give permission for you to contact them, we’ll forward you their information.