What Researchers Did
Doctors reported the case of a 32-year-old man who developed cortical blindness after carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from smoke inhalation in an apartment fire, and was treated with HBOT.
What They Found
MRI confirmed cerebral hypoperfusion (reduced blood flow to the brain) as the cause of his blindness. After HBOT treatment, the patient experienced partial recovery of his vision. The case highlights a rare but serious neurological complication of CO poisoning that HBOT may help address.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Carbon monoxide poisoning from house fires and malfunctioning appliances sends hundreds of Canadians to hospital each year. Vision loss from CO is rare but devastating. This case suggests that rapid HBOT referral after CO exposure, even when unusual symptoms like blindness are present, may improve recovery outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an OHIP-covered HBOT indication in Ontario. Canadian patients who survive CO poisoning should be evaluated for HBOT, including those presenting with neurological symptoms like vision loss.
Study Limitations
This is a single case report, so the rate of vision recovery with HBOT for CO-related blindness cannot be estimated.