Transcorneal oxygen therapy for glaucoma associated with sickle cell hyphema

PURPOSE: To study three patients with glaucoma caused by sickle cell hyphem a who were successfully treated with transcorneal oxygen therapy. METHODS: Case reports. Three patients with increased intraocular pressure c aused by sickle cell hyphema were administered transcorneal oxygen therapy using humidified oxygen at a flow rate that ranged from 1 to 3 l/minute. RESULTS: All three patients had a dramatic reduction in their intraocular p ressure within hours of receiving oxygen therapy. No complications were ass ociated with the oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: Transcorneal oxygen therapy can reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma from sickle cell hyphema. Further study is warranted to evaluate this new therapy. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.