From the Guidelines
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in a bariatric chamber is not currently recommended as a standard treatment for macular degeneration. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, published in 2021, does not mention HBOT as a treatment option for macular degeneration. Instead, it highlights the importance of early treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications, such as ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab, to reduce the risk of legal blindness and visual impairment. Additionally, the study emphasizes the role of AREDS2 vitamin supplements and lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, in slowing the progression of AMD.
The standard treatments for macular degeneration depend on the type (dry or wet) and may include:
- Anti-VEGF injections
- AREDS2 vitamin supplements (containing lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper)
- Lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation
- Regular monitoring with an ophthalmologist
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber and is primarily approved for conditions like decompression sickness, serious infections, bubbles of air in blood vessels, and wounds that won't heal due to diabetes or radiation injury. The therapy carries risks including ear and sinus pain, temporary nearsightedness, claustrophobia, and rarely oxygen toxicity or lung damage. Patients with macular degeneration should consult with a retina specialist for evidence-based treatment options rather than pursuing HBOT, as supported by 2 and 3.
Key points to consider:
- Early treatment of AMD is associated with a more favorable prognosis
- Anti-VEGF treatment given within 2 years after diagnosis of neovascular AMD can reduce legal blindness and visual impairment
- Smoking cessation can reduce the risk of AMD progression
- Regular monitoring with an ophthalmologist is crucial for detecting and treating AMD at an early stage.
From the Research
Bariatric Chamber for Macular Degeneration
There is no direct evidence to support the use of a bariatric chamber for macular degeneration.
Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration
- Ranibizumab and bevacizumab are used for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 4, 5, 6
- Aflibercept is also used for the treatment of neovascular AMD 5, 6
- Verteporfin is used for photodynamic therapy in the treatment of AMD 5, 6
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used for the treatment of macular edema 5
Research and Development
- New treatments are being developed for both dry and wet AMD, including complement inhibition, neuroprotection, visual cycle modulators, cell-based therapies, and anti-inflammatory agents 7
- Extended release options and gene therapy are also being explored for the treatment of wet AMD 7