Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for perioperative posterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a case report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Hyperbaric Medicine

Background:

• Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) is a rare but serious complication following surgery, often leading to vision loss.
• Current treatment strategies for PION have shown mixed success, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.

Observation:

• An elderly female patient developed bilateral vision loss post-angiography and hydralazine administration.
• The patient received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) following a protocol for decompression sickness.
• Significant visual improvement was noted immediately after the first HBOT session and continued throughout treatment.

Findings:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in combination with systemic steroids, was effective in restoring vision in a patient with postoperative PION.
• The patient's vision returned to near baseline levels following the course of treatment.

Implications:

• This case suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a viable and potentially effective treatment for postoperative PION.
• Further research into HBOT for ischemic optic neuropathies is warranted given its promising results in this patient.