For patients living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), one of the most common questions is: “Is there anything that can slow the disease down?” While there is still no cure for RP, medical research is advancing quickly, and one of the most promising supportive therapies is Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation (TES).
At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we are committed to not only providing the latest treatments for inherited retinal diseases but also contributing to the innovation pipeline that shapes the future of care. TES is one of those exciting frontiers.
What Exactly Is TES?
Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation is a therapy that uses gentle electrical impulses to stimulate the retina. A small electrode is placed on the cornea using a special contact lens, and controlled pulses of current are delivered to the eye.
The goal isn’t to “shock” the retina but to preserve and stimulate the retinal cells that are still functioning. By activating retinal networks and improving blood flow, TES aims to slow the progression of cell loss and help patients hold on to useful vision for longer.
Why TES Matters for Retinitis Pigmentosa
RP is a progressive, inherited condition where the retina’s light-sensitive cells — rods and cones — gradually deteriorate. Patients often begin with night blindness, followed by loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision), and eventually reduced central vision.
Until recently, treatment has largely focused on supportive care: low-vision aids, mobility training, and sometimes vitamin supplementation. TES represents a new step forward because it directly targets retinal activity.
Clinical studies in Europe and elsewhere have shown that TES can:
- Stabilise or even improve visual field sensitivity in some patients.
- Increase retinal blood circulation.
- Improve retinal function as measured by electrophysiological tests.
For patients, this may translate into preserving independence, delaying later stages of vision loss, and holding on to useful sight for longer.
How the Treatment Works
A TES session takes place in a clinic setting. A specially designed contact lens electrode is placed gently on the eye, and the device delivers very low-level electrical impulses for about 30–40 minutes.
The treatment is painless. Most patients describe only a mild flicker or tingling sensation, which is not uncomfortable. Crucially, no numbing drops are needed, because the current used is extremely gentle and the process is completely non-invasive.
TES isn’t a one-off procedure — sessions are usually repeated regularly (for example, weekly over several weeks or months), depending on the patient’s individual plan. The aim is not to reverse damage but to stimulate and protect the retinal cells that remain, slowing the overall progression of RP.
Is TES Safe?
TES has a strong safety record. Clinical trials and ongoing patient experience show that it is well tolerated with minimal side effects. The most common issue is mild, temporary irritation from wearing the contact lens electrode, but this resolves quickly. Serious complications are extremely rare.
Because TES does not involve surgery, injections, or numbing agents, patients often find it a reassuringly gentle approach. Its non-invasive nature is one of the reasons it’s generating so much excitement in the RP community.
Who Can Benefit From TES?
TES is being investigated primarily for retinitis pigmentosa, but researchers are also exploring its potential benefits in other retinal conditions such as optic neuropathies.
It appears most effective in patients who still have some functional retinal cells remaining. This is because TES works by stimulating and protecting cells that are not yet lost. For patients in advanced stages of RP with very little remaining vision, TES is less likely to provide meaningful benefit.
At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we perform detailed assessments of retinal function and visual fields to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for TES.
TES and the Future of RP Treatment
TES is part of a broader movement in ophthalmology towards proactive, cell-preserving treatments for inherited retinal diseases. Alongside gene therapies, stem cell transplantation, and retinal implants, it represents a major step forward in giving patients tangible options today.
Importantly, TES does not replace the need for future curative therapies — but it offers patients a way to slow progression and preserve their vision until those breakthroughs arrive. In this sense, it provides hope for today, while supporting the future promise of medical science.
The Harley Street Eye Centre’s Role in Innovation
As an international centre of excellence for keratoconus and retinal conditions, The Harley Street Eye Centre is proud to be at the forefront of emerging treatments like TES.
We are not only early adopters of new therapies but also actively engaged in the innovation pipeline, working with global partners to help shape the future of retinal care. Patients at Harley Street benefit from advanced diagnostics, world-class clinical expertise, and access to treatments that are not widely available elsewhere.
A Step Towards a Brighter Future
For decades, retinitis pigmentosa has been a condition with limited treatment options beyond supportive care. TES changes that. By using safe, gentle electrical impulses to stimulate the retina, it offers patients a way to preserve their vision and maintain independence for longer.
It is not a cure, but it is a powerful development in the journey towards one. And for patients living with RP today, TES represents more than just a treatment — it represents hope.
At The Harley Street Eye Centre, we believe no patient with RP should feel they are without options. With therapies like TES and the promise of future innovations, the outlook for patients with retinitis pigmentosa is brighter than ever.
