What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of a 43-year-old male with type 2 diabetes who developed proliferative diabetic retinopathy during hyperbaric oxygen treatment for plantar ulcers.
What They Found
A 43-year-old male with a history of treated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) developed new pre-retinal hemorrhage in his left eye after five hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBOT). After 12 additional HBOT sessions, worsening proliferative changes were observed in both eyes, despite his visual acuity remaining 6/9 bilaterally.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with diabetes considering hyperbaric oxygen treatment, especially those with a history of diabetic retinopathy, should undergo thorough ophthalmic evaluation before and during treatment. This case highlights the importance of close monitoring for potential ocular complications during HBOT in this vulnerable population.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings may not be generalizable to all patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment.