The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygenation on Retinal Arterial Occlusion

Abstract

The inhalation of 100% oxygen at high atmospheric pressures is associated with a great increase in oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and produces a significant prolongation of visual function after occlusion of the retinal circulation by ophthalmodynamometric pressure on the eye.^1,2It is not known, however, whether such hyperbaric oxygenation prevents or reverses the effects of retinal arterial occlusive disease. A significant reproducible improvement has been observed following inhalation of 100% oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure in three of four patients with this illness.³The present report describes the clinical and ophthalmologic findings following hyperbaric oxygenation in three patients with retinal arterial occlusive disease, caused by embolism or thrombosis of the central retinal artery or its branches. <h3>Report of Cases</h3><h3>Case 1.</h3> —A 51-year-old white male textile worker entered the Durham Veterans Administration Hospital with the complaint of numbness of the left hand and transient