Glaucoma is a chronic progressive disease that is manifested by an increase of intraocular pressure, damage to the head of the optic nerve and damage to the visual filed. It is caused by a blockade in the trabecular system where chamber fluid is drained from the eye. Since those microscopically routes are blocked, intraocular pressure develops causing slow but progressive loss of vision. Peripheral vision is first affected. Postponing of the treatment will gradually result in complete loss of vision. In some patients with glaucoma, blind spots in visual field will remain even after the pressure is normalized, and in some patients blind spots will occur even if no increase of intraocular pressure is detected (low pressure glaucoma). This supports the theory in accordance which disturbances of microcirculation in the head of the optic nerve and in the posterior segment lead to the loss of vision. Diagnosis is established by measurements of intraocular pressure and visual field. The goal of the treatment is to open uveo-scleral routes and protection of retina ganglionic cells.
HBOT increases and stabilizes visual field. Damaged peripheral vision and visual field defects (blind spots) recover. It would be ideal to provide two HBOT series per year to achieve the best results.
