Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Vision Loss: Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration (AMD) is a medical disorder that causes blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field.
In the developed world, it is the primary cause of vision loss. It afflicted 6.2 million individuals worldwide in 2015.
AMD affects around 12% of adults over the age of 80, and more than 1.8 million Americans have advanced AMD.
According to the National Eye Institute, there is no cure or treatment that can restore lost vision.
Injections into the eyeball (the vitreous) have been shown to potentially delay the progression of wet (also known as the progressive form) AMD; however, they are costly, painful, and patients are at a higher risk of developing inflammation, retinal detachment, and intraocular infection.
For those Looking to Stay Active, Mobile & Healthy
Start Your Wellness Journey Here
Life's adventures aren't waiting. Call today or fill out the inquiry form below to start your Premier Wellness Experience.
By clicking Contact I agree Bucks County Hyperbarics LLC may contact me by phone or text message including by automated means and prerecorded messages about wellness services, and that I can access real estate services without submitting an online form. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
There are numerous suggested factors for AMD development.
While there is a hereditary predisposition, external conditions such as smoking, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and heavy alcohol consumption can also play a role.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has numerous physiologic effects, including the activation of built-in antioxidant defenses, a decrease in lipid breakdown, improved antimicrobial activity, and functions as an inflammatory regulator, all of which may alter the formation and/or progression of AMD.
Indeed, two observational studies on the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for vision loss in AMD have been reported.
Two major outcomes, visual acuity and central retinal thickness, were improved in 75% of the patients in these pilot investigations.
In 2010, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) published a study that entailed treating 14 individuals with severe AMD. There were no problems.
The gains in visual acuity and visual field were maintained at future follow-up visits. It was determined that a greater number of hyperbaric oxygen treatments could have resulted in (even) better visual outcomes.
When there is scientific and anecdotal evidence of improvements in visual acuity and/or visual field in cases regarded as untreatable by currently accepted procedures, we must examine all choices for these patients and discuss the risks versus advantages.
Certainly, additional research is needed, but, if these preliminary findings hold up in larger trials, it would have enormous public health consequences for the more than 7 million people in the United States who are at high risk of visual loss from AMD.