Abstract
Purpose :
To study the influence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), specifically cost-benefit analysis, quality of life improvement and healthcare associated roadblocks.
Methods :
Four subjects with CRAO treated with HBOT at Westchester Medical Center between 2012 and 2015 were identified. Variables investigated included time of onset of symptoms to time of arrival, Door-To-Chamber (DTC) time, number of treatments, visual acuity, average cost of treatment and average hospital stay.
Results :
50% of patients who underwent treatment had no improvement in visual acuity while 50% had limited recovery. 100% of patients (4/4) reported no improvement in quality of life. Average time to presentation was 11.85 hours (711 minutes). Average DTC was 8.25 hours (495 minutes). Average total cost including treatment and hospital stay was $17,826/patient.
Conclusions :
Poor cost-to-benefit ratio and a strain on hospital resources make HBOT an inadequate treatment modality for CRAO.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.