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Assessment of visual contrast sensitivity in hyperbaric oxygen
1Anaesthesia-Intensive Care and Hyperbaric Department, Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) significantly improves contrast sensitivity in healthy individuals. This suggests HBOT may activate a reserve capacity within the visual system by enhancing retinal oxygenation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is recognized for its application in treating ischemic conditions affecting the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
- The potential impact of hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction on visual function remains an area of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute hyperbaric oxygen exposure on visual function in healthy volunteers.
- To determine if vasoconstriction caused by hyperoxia influences eyesight, specifically contrast sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of healthy volunteers aged 10–50 years participated in the study.
- Visual acuity was assessed before and after acute HBOT (60 minutes at 2.5 atm absolute with 100% oxygen).
- Psychophysical determination of contrast sensitivity threshold was measured using the Maione-Maffei zebra test.
Main Results:
- Contrast sensitivity showed a statistically significant improvement across most tested frequencies in subjects following acute HBOT.
- The observed enhancement in contrast sensitivity suggests a positive impact of HBOT on visual perception.
Conclusions:
- Acute hyperbaric oxygen exposure leads to a notable enhancement of contrast sensitivity in healthy individuals.
- The findings support the hypothesis that the visual system possesses a latent reserve capacity.
- This reserve appears to be activated by the improved retinal oxygenation achieved through HBOT.