Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers a potential treatment approach for central retinal arterial occlusion by addressing the critical issue of reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the retina. During HBOT, patients breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which significantly increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma.
The therapy is most effective when administered within the first 24-48 hours after the onset of CRAO. By dramatically increasing oxygen concentration in the blood, HBOT can help compensate for the blocked artery and potentially salvage some retinal tissue that might otherwise be permanently damaged.