Dongtan Eye Clinic: Vision Correction, Cataract & Retina Care | Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do

Dongtan, South Korea – The Dongtan First Eye Clinic, located in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, offers a comprehensive range of eye care services, from routine vision correction to complex surgical interventions for conditions like presbyopia and cataracts. The clinic’s integrated approach also encompasses the treatment of retinal diseases and provides emergency eye care.

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion and the Potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Among the more serious conditions treated by specialists like those at Dongtan First Eye Clinic is central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). This is a blockage of the main artery supplying blood to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A CRAO is considered an ophthalmic emergency, as rapid and effective treatment is crucial to minimizing permanent vision loss.

Traditionally, treatment options for CRAO have been limited. While attempts may be made to dislodge the blockage mechanically, these are often unsuccessful, particularly if a significant amount of time has passed since the onset of symptoms. The lack of consistently effective treatments has spurred research into alternative therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Recent research, as highlighted in a February 9, 2026 report from Nature, focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of HBOT in treating non-arteritic CRAO. The study utilizes enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), a sophisticated imaging technique that allows for detailed visualization of the retinal layers. This advanced imaging helps clinicians assess the structural changes occurring in the retina following a CRAO and monitor the response to treatment.

Understanding Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

A central retinal artery occlusion occurs when blood flow to the retina is blocked, typically by an embolus – a small particle that travels through the bloodstream. These emboli can originate from various sources, including the heart, carotid arteries, or even atherosclerotic plaques within the eye itself. Without a sufficient blood supply, the retinal cells quickly become deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to irreversible damage and vision loss.

Symptoms of a CRAO are typically sudden and dramatic. Patients often experience a painless, profound loss of vision in one eye. The onset is usually abrupt, and the vision loss is often described as a “curtain” descending over the eye. A careful ophthalmic examination, including a dilated fundus examination, is essential for diagnosing a CRAO and differentiating it from other causes of sudden vision loss.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows for a significantly higher amount of oxygen to be dissolved in the blood plasma. This increased oxygen delivery can have several beneficial effects in the context of a CRAO.

Theoretically, HBOT can help to overcome the oxygen deprivation caused by the blocked artery. The increased oxygen levels can potentially stimulate the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in the retina, providing an alternative pathway for blood supply. HBOT may also reduce inflammation and protect retinal cells from further damage.

The Role of Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography

The use of EDI-OCT in the recent evaluation is particularly noteworthy. Traditional OCT scans provide cross-sectional images of the retina, but EDI-OCT allows for a more detailed assessment of the inner retinal layers, which are often the first to be affected in a CRAO. By carefully measuring the thickness and reflectivity of these layers, clinicians can gain valuable insights into the extent of retinal damage and the response to HBOT.

The study’s comprehensive evaluation, as reported by Nature, suggests that EDI-OCT is a valuable tool for monitoring the effects of HBOT in patients with non-arteritic CRAO. The ability to objectively assess retinal structure and function can help clinicians determine whether HBOT is providing a beneficial effect and guide treatment decisions.

Limitations and Future Directions

While the research into HBOT for CRAO is promising, it’s important to acknowledge that it is still an evolving field. The optimal HBOT protocol – including the number of sessions, pressure levels, and duration of treatment – remains to be determined. Further research is needed to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from HBOT and to understand the long-term effects of this therapy.

The efficacy of HBOT may also depend on the underlying cause of the CRAO. Non-arteritic CRAO, where the blockage is not related to inflammation of the arteries, may respond differently to HBOT than arteritic CRAO, which is associated with systemic inflammatory conditions. The recent study specifically focused on non-arteritic CRAO, and the findings may not be generalizable to all cases.

Clinics like Dongtan First Eye Clinic, with their commitment to integrated eye care and advanced diagnostic technologies, are well-positioned to participate in and contribute to ongoing research in this area. As our understanding of CRAO and the potential benefits of HBOT continues to grow, it is hoped that more effective treatments will become available to preserve vision for patients facing this challenging condition.