What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective study on 35 healthy individuals undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to assess its acute and cumulative effects on retinal and choroidal structures using SD-OCT.
What They Found
They found a statistically significant decrease in central macular thickness (CMT) from 259.36 µm before HBOT to 254.58 µm after 20 sessions (p=0.001).
However, no significant changes were observed in retinal nerve fiber layer, choroidal thickness, choroidal area, luminal area, stromal area, or choroidal vascularity index (p>0.05).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-ophthalmologic conditions may experience a small, statistically significant decrease in central macular thickness.
However, other important eye structures like the retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal vascularity appear to remain unaffected by HBOT.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada, nor does it involve Canadian researchers or specific Canadian health data.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited to healthy eyes undergoing HBOT for non-ophthalmologic reasons, and the long-term effects beyond 20 sessions were not evaluated.