Transcorneal oxygen therapy for persistent hyphema in a patient with sickle cell disease

Clinical case The case concerns a 10-year-old boy of African origin, who suffered a mild ocular trauma to the left eye. Upon examination, the best visual acuity was 0.2 using the Snellen scale, with a 1mm height hyphema, intraocular pressure (IOP) of 12mmHg on left eye, with an increase up to 20mmHg within 72h. With a positive test for sickle cell disease, it was decided to treat medically with transcorneal oxygen therapy. Clearing of the anterior chamber was achieved, with and improvement in the best visual acuity to 0.8, and lowering of IOP to 8mmHg.

In the context of patients with persistent hyphema with sickle cell trait, transcorneal oxygen therapy is an effective alternative therapy. Achieving immediate and favourable results by lowering the IOP and improving the clearing of the anterior chamber.