What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a case-control study at 11,400 feet altitude to measure changes in central corneal thickness in patients with high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPO) receiving supplemental oxygen.
What They Found
Initially, there was no statistically significant difference in corneal thickness between HAPO patients and control groups. However, HAPO patients showed a significant decrease in central corneal thickness in both eyes when given supplemental oxygen. Specifically, for every 1 mmHg increase in oxygen, corneal thickness decreased by 1.3 μm.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This case-control study focused on a specific physiological marker (corneal thickness) and not broader clinical outcomes for HAPO, and it was not a study on hyperbaric oxygen therapy.