Could DMSO drops restore my vision?

My vision loss in my right eye is primarily due to blood that is adhering to the vitreous chamber. A vitrectomy may or may not remove this blood. Could DMSO drops dissolve the dried blood?

DMSO is a clear liquid. It can be diluted in isotonic saline to 10% and dropped safely in the eye. Can it clear blood attached to the vitreous chamber?

Update

Two retina specialists have advised against this. Both said there is evidence that DMSO is toxic to the retina. So I could solve one problem but create a bigger one. They say that the vitrectomy should work. But vitrectomy isn’t risk free.

On the other hand, Dr. Paul Marik forwarded this 2021 review article, Application of Dimethyl Sulfoxide as a Therapeutic Agent and Drug Vehicle for Eye Diseases suggesting DMSO is safe. Clinical evidence has shown that DMSO has been used to treat various eye conditions with favorable results and minimal adverse effects. For example, studies reported using DMSO concentrations as high as 50% in eye drop preparations for up to 2 years without significant ocular toxicity, apart from mild and temporary irritation.

Here is the relevant part of that paper:

Clinical evidence supports the use of DMSO for the treatment of ophthalmological diseases. In 1968, the research group led by Gordon and Kleberger documented the utilization of DMSO in the human eye. They reported 157 eyes in which DMSO (7.5%–66%) was applied locally for various ophthalmic indications with favorable clinical results. There was no reported ocular toxicity observed in these patients for up to 19 months after treatment.

The first evidence of the possible efficacy of DMSO in retinal diseases was discovered by accident when some retinitis pigmentosa patients reported that their vision had improved while they were taking DMSO for musculoskeletal disorders. The investigation began in 1972 when one patient suffering from retinitis pigmentosa experienced a remarkable recovery of vision after treatment with a 50% aqueous DMSO solution applied to the cornea by eyecup immersion for 30 seconds, twice daily. The patient maintained good progress with DMSO treatment during two years of follow-up.

In the same clinical study, another 50 patients with retinal deteriorations, macular degenerations, and retinitis pigmentosa were similarly treated with DMSO and showed encouraging results. The outcomes of the treatment included stabilized and enhanced visual acuity in 22 patients, improved visual fields in 9 patients, and better night vision in 5 patients. The rest of the patients exhibited no measurable or personally noted vision changes, with only 2 patients experiencing continued regression of their conditions. Serial fundus photography and slit-lamp photomicrography displayed no adverse tissue reactions. Side effects were limited to temporary stinging lasting about 20–30 seconds, with some occasional burning sensations or dryness on the eyelid.

The review article referred to a paper by RV Hill who was at the University of Oregon Medical Center entitled, “Dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of retinal disease.” Here is the abstract of the Hill paper.

The book DMSO, Nature’s Healer by Morton Walker contained key additional details:

"Such an investigation was begun after one patient suffering from retinitis pigmentosa had a rather spectacular recovery of vision after treatment with DMSO," Dr. Hill explained to the Science Writers—Research to Prevent Blindness seminar in Los Angeles in February 1973."At the time his DMSO treatment was started this patient could see hand motion only with his right eye and had a visual acuity of 20/200 (Snellen) in his left eye. Five days later (February 15, 1972), his vision was measured as 20/70+1 in the left eye, and he could count fingers at five feet with his right eye. Three months later, his visual acuity was 20/50 in the left eye.”

It seems odd to me that injection would have a different outcome.​ Here’s what ChatGPT said:

Yes, several studies have investigated the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on retinal health:

• In Vivo Retinal Apoptosis: A study demonstrated that intravitreal injections of DMSO in rats, even at low concentrations (1–8% v/v), induced retinal apoptosis. This suggests that DMSO can be toxic to retinal cells when administered directly into the eye.

  Europe PMC (2013)

• Dose-Dependent Retinal Dysfunction: Research on rats revealed that intravitreal DMSO injections at concentrations of 0.6% or higher led to dose-dependent decreases in retinal function. The study highlighted that while photoreceptor responses remained unaffected, the mid-retinal bipolar cell response and inner retinal response showed significant losses, indicating specific retinal layer susceptibility to DMSO toxicity.

  SpringerLink (2009)

• Protective Effects Against Light-Induced Damage: Interestingly, some studies have reported that DMSO can protect against light-induced retinal degeneration. In a murine model, systemic DMSO treatment preserved retinal function and morphology following exposure to toxic light levels. However, the exact mechanism of this protective effect remains unclear, and the potential for DMSO-induced oxidative damage was noted.

  IOVS

These findings indicate that while DMSO has potential therapeutic applications, its effects on the retina are complex and can be both protective and harmful, depending on the context and concentration used. Caution is advised when considering DMSO for ocular applications.

Executive summary

I lost most of the vision in my right eye due to a spontaneous subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), primary sub-RPE.

Could DMSO drops restore most of my sight? I

t sounds reasonable, but nobody I’ve spoken with knows for sure.

Is there evidence we don’t know about? Can an animal study be done?

My status

My photoreceptors (rods and cones) still work, but my vision is mainly obscured by blood in the vitreous humor and blood attached to the vitreous chamber. The vitreous humor blood is easy to remove with a vitrectomy, but the blood that is causing the biggest problem is attached to the chamber (right in the center of my vision of course).

DMSO is a powerful but safe solvent

DMSO is a very safe, but potent solvent.

A Midwestern Doctor suggested that DMSO, diluted in isotonic saline to a 10% solution might be effective in dissolving the blood attached to the vitreous chamber. He points out DMSO is very safe, even when used in the eye so at worst, it will do no harm. He did a lot of research in this area and wrote a long post about it. Here’s the part on the eye. Here’s the key paragraph:

This in turn, suggests that DMSO can rapidly extract things from the eyes that should not be there (e.g., excessive fluid) as whatever is in the eye will be drawn out into the rest of the body with the DMSO that leaves the eyes.

The retina docs I’ve asked about this naturally have no clue or opinion. I often hear from them that pharma is very efficient and if it worked, they would have a product. But you can’t patent DMSO for eyes so there is no financial incentive, so I disagree… I think if it worked, pharma would ignore it.

DMSO can get blood out of blood stained clothing!

The current standard of care

The standard treatment for blood attached to or within the vitreous chamber includes observation (to see if the blood reabsorbs naturally over time) or surgical intervention (such as vitrectomy) when necessary.

This is what my retina doc recommends.

My questions

I have two questions:

1. Do you think DMSO might work to help clear my vitreous chamber prior to or without needing surgery?

2. Does anyone know how we can test this in an animal eye to see if it works?

3. Should I use DMSO prior to vitrectomy in order to put any attached blood into solution? For example, it could be injected into the vitreous humor before doing the vitrectomy in order to dissolve any dried blood on the surface of the chamber.

Summary of the comments

There is a 40% solution for eyes that is sold in the DMSO store, so 10% may be too timid (AMD suggested starting with 10% to be on the safe side).

DMSO success story in cat eye.

Lilia used a 25% solution to heal her eye, but not from the same condition.

Summary

DMSO is a safe and effective solvent. Can 10% DMSO eye drops dissolve blood attached to the vitreous chamber?

If it works, it will be a real game changer.