What Researchers Did
Researchers prospectively assessed the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on diabetic retinopathy and macular edema by comparing 25 patients receiving HBOT for foot ulcers with 25 control patients not receiving HBOT.
What They Found
The study included 25 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy treated with HBOT and 25 control patients. Compared to the control group, patients treated with HBOT showed a regression or stabilization of diabetic retinopathy lesions and a decrease in central macular thickness.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, often used for diabetic foot ulcers, may offer an additional benefit for Canadian patients by improving diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. This could potentially serve as an adjunctive treatment to manage retinal ischemia and capillary hyperpermeability in diabetic retinopathy.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
This preliminary study had a small sample size and focused on patients already receiving HBOT for diabetic foot ulcers, limiting generalizability.