What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on retinal layers in 30 healthy eyes, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to measure thickness before, after the first, and after the tenth treatment sessions.
What They Found
The study found no statistically significant differences in the thickness of retinal layers (RNFL, GCL, IPL, INL, OPL, ONL, RPE) in 30 healthy eyes after the first and tenth hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurements showed no changes in foveal, inner-ring, or outer-ring retinal thickness compared to baseline.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for various indications are unlikely to experience changes in their retinal layer thickness. This information may reassure patients and clinicians about the ocular safety of short-term HBO2 therapy in healthy eyes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study involved a relatively small sample size of 30 patients and focused only on healthy eyes, limiting generalizability to patients with pre-existing ocular conditions.