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Retinal leakage in retinal vein occlusion: reduction after hyperbaric oxygen
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved vision and reduced retinal leakage in a patient with severe retinal vein occlusion. This treatment offers potential benefits for managing complex retinal vascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine
Background:
- Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and hemispheric retinal vein occlusion (HRVO) can lead to significant vision loss.
- Cystoid macular edema (CME) is a common complication that worsens visual acuity.
- Standard treatments may not always restore vision or resolve macular edema.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old woman with a history of bilateral CRVO experienced HRVO with CME in her only seeing eye.
- Despite no improvement over five months, the patient underwent two courses of 100% hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Findings:
- Following each HBOT course, retinal leakage, measured by vitreous fluorophotometry, normalized.
- Visual acuity improved by two lines after the HBOT treatments.
Implications:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be a viable adjunctive treatment for refractory retinal vein occlusion and associated macular edema.
- HBOT could potentially mitigate retinal vascular leakage and improve visual outcomes in specific ophthalmic conditions.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and mechanisms of HBOT in retinal vascular occlusive diseases.