{
  "abstract": "Background/Objectives: Dysregulated ocular and cochlear blood flow are proposed pathways in the pathogenesis of type 2 Usher syndrome (USH2). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of ophthalmic nerve stimulation (ONS) combined with intravenous ascorbic acid (AA) in patients with USH2. Methods: Nine participants with USH2 were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, interventional case series. All participants received daily ONS combined with intravenous AA over a two-week period. The primary endpoint was the 6-month change in self-reported scotopic function, assessed using the 10-item Low luminance questionnaire (LLQ-10; 0–100 scale). Responders were defined as participants demonstrating a ≥25-point increase in LLQ-10 score. Secondary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and subjective hearing function. Results: ONS-based therapy resulted in a significant improvement in LLQ-10 scotopic scores at 6 months (mean change: +42.1 ± 11.3 points, p = 0.0001), with seven of nine participants (77.8%) classified as responders. Clinically meaningful improvements in BCVA (≥0.2 logMAR) and CS (≥0.3 log units) were observed in 22.2% of tested eyes. Additionally, subjective hearing improvement was reported by one-third (33.3%) of participants. No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusions: ONS combined with AA demonstrated safety and yielded significant subjective improvements in night vision quality among patients with USH2, alongside minor improvements in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and hearing in a subset of participants. Controlled trials incorporating objective scotopic and audiometric testing are warranted.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Musallam Eye Center of Jerusalem, Beit Hanina, Baldi Mall, B Building, Jerusalem 9160201, Israel"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ismail M. Musallam"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7dssr820gvmb.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/jcm15218302",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "e7dssr820gvmb",
  "issns": [
    "2077-0383"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8302",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Retinal Development and Disorders"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223850774",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-25",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7dssr820gvmb.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:01Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/jcm15218302",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8302"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Retinal Development and Disorders",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Co-Targeting the Dysregulated Ocular and Cochlear Blood Flow via Ophthalmic Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Type 2 Usher Syndrome: Prospective Case Series",
  "title_text": "Co-Targeting the Dysregulated Ocular and Cochlear Blood Flow via Ophthalmic Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Type 2 Usher Syndrome: Prospective Case Series",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7dssr820gvmb",
  "venue": "Journal of Clinical Medicine",
  "versions": []
}