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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffHyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally a safe procedure, and complications are rare. But, as with any medical procedure, it does carry a risk of complications.
Potential complications include:
- Temporary nearsightedness (myopia) caused by increased blood oxygen levels
- Middle ear and inner ear injuries, including leaking fluid and eardrum rupture, due to increased air pressure
- Organ damage caused by air pressure changes (barotrauma)
- Seizures as a result of too much oxygen (oxygen toxicity) in your central nervous system
References
- Morgan GE, et al. Critical care. In: Morgan GE, et al. Clinical Anesthesiology. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=895845. Accessed Sept. 3, 2009.
- Gill AL, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen: Its uses, mechanisms of action and outcomes. QJM. 2004;97:385.
- Mechem CC, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2009.
- Olson KR. Oxygen and hyperbaric oxygen. In: Olson KR. Poisoning & Drug Overdose. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2681650. Accessed Sept. 3, 2009.
- Simon BA, et al. Therapeutic gases: Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and helium. In: Brunton LL, et al. Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=938237. Accessed Sept. 3, 2009.
- Indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society. http://www.uhms.org/Default.aspx?tabid=270. Accessed Sept. 2, 2009.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Hyperbaric_Oxygen_Therapy.asp. Accessed Sept. 2, 2009.
