What Researchers Did
Researchers examined 26 patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for more than a month to observe any ocular effects.
What They Found
Eighteen of 26 patients (69%) developed myopia, with refractive changes ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 dioptres. No other ocular effects were observed in these patients, and the change in refraction is attributed to an increased refractive index of the lens.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be informed about the potential for developing temporary or permanent myopia. Regular ophthalmic monitoring may be beneficial to detect and manage these refractive changes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by its small sample size and observational design.