Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in combination with systemic treatment of sickle cell disease presenting as central retinal artery occlusion: a case report

INTRODUCTION: We describe hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion in a young adult with sickle cell disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old Turkish man with a history of sickle cell disease developed sudden painless loss of vision in the left eye and was hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment. Central retinal artery occlusion was diagnosed with retinal whitening, cherry red spot, and delayed arteriovenous transit on fluorescein angiography. He underwent exchange transfusion and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In the following three months, his visual acuity improved to 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: In this present case with sickle cell disease, the visual acuity improved with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to systemic therapy. The result of our case suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion.