Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness for people over 60, is characterized by increasing pressure within the eye. The most common type of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma) often has no symptoms other than slow vision loss. Over time the increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, eventually resulting in blindness. Medication has limited value in treating most glaucoma, slowing vision loss but not restoring it.
Mild HBOT may offer a safe alternative to address glaucoma. More research needs to be done, but studies have demonstrated both reduced intra-ocular pressure and improved visual field values following 20 sessions of HBOT. In addition, there appears to be a relationship between stress and glaucoma, and HBOT can be helpful in addressing autonomic nervous system imbalance and vascular dysregulation.
The treatment pressures we use at Hyperbaric Vermont and it’s affiliates are below the threshold for retinopathy, oxygen toxicity and other risks of high pressure HBOT, and may be a good alternative for those suffering from this disease.