Miscellaneous Retinitis pigmentosa - Report

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT on retinitis pigmentosa: An opportunity

Report by Dr. Hellmuth Sümmerer on the succesfull treatment of a patient who had almost gone blind. (Freiburg, May/june 2010)

 

Threat of blindness: the Internet as a particularly helpful medium of information

A 54 year old Serb lives in Paris. The exile group is chatting with each other and Mr. S. reveals that his vision is getting worse and worse and he soon will be blind. They tell him to go to Zurich to see an eye doctor and seek advice there. She recommends to him the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at the Pressure Chamber Centre of Freiburg. Radio SRNA-BOSANKA reports this and starts a fundraising campaign.

 

Scientifically proven basis: HBOT on retinitis pigmentosa

During my research, I found a detailed 1b study: "Slowing the degenerative process, long lasting effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in retinitis pigmentosa" by Vingolo, Rocco, Grenga, Salvatore and Pelaia from 2008 (Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophtalmol, 2008; 246:93-98).

 

Original treatment objective: Slowing down blindness

On the basis of this study I described to the patient the treatment objective of HBOT in his case as an opportunity to slow down the process of going blind.

 

Treatment objective surpassed: the patient is able to see significantly better after HBOT

The patient himself stood firm and insisted on the implementation of HBOT. After 20 treatment sessions his vision improved considerably. Mr. S. was able to recognize people and objects instead of only seeing differences in light-dark and outlines of objects. Furthermore, he no longer had to be guided by his wife. The couple is happy with the achieved improvement. The threatening blindness was not only prevented but his vision was also improved significantly.
After his return to Paris, the patient was able for the first time in three years to go shopping on his own. He went to a supermarket about 500 meters from his home and did his purchases there. This is not an area on the outskirts of Paris but a busy shopping street. The only problem Mr. S. mentioned was that he had to watch out for the many children. They are so small that they fall out of his lower visual range.

 

Control findings of ophthalmologist in France confirms a consistent diagnosis / patient feels improvement

As the patient’s medical attendant reported in November 2010, Mr. S. feels that he is doing better. The light conditions played a large role. He still cannot see if it is dark. His attending ophthalmologist in Paris recently confirmed a consistent diagnosis: i.e. no improvement but also no deterioration. Nevertheless, the patient is satisfied with his therapy at the Freiburg Pressure Chamber Centre. For him it is already an improvement that his vision has not deteriorated. His personal impression is that with very good light conditions he can see better than previously.

 

Further Information: Download study (PDF, English)

Zuletzt aktualisiert am Dienstag, 29. März 2011