Intermountain Health St. James Hospital Upgrades Hyperbaric Chamber to Offer Latest Treatment Options for Patients
“It felt like someone was pulling a curtain over my eye,” said Carol Barney, of Butte. What was happening to Barney is called an eye stroke, or retinal artery occlusion, which occurs when blood flow to the retina is blocked. Symptoms can include sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one eye.
Like a stroke affecting the brain, eye stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt evaluation and treatment are important to preserve vision and identify any underlying health conditions that may indicate risk of further strokes or cardiovascular problems.
At the urging of her daughter, Barney went to the emergency department at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital, where she was evaluated for a stroke and other cardiovascular-related issues. After additional testing, it was determined that Barney did have an eye stroke. When she was discharged from the hospital, she still had no vision in her left eye.
In following up with her medical providers, Barney was recommended for hyperbaric therapy at St. James to potentially improve or restore her vision. Hyperbaric medicine is an advanced treatment that delivers an oxygen saturated environment in a specially designed pressurized chamber.
By increasing the amount of oxygen carried in the bloodstream, hyperbaric therapy can help the body heal damaged tissues, fight certain infections, and improve recovery in areas where blood flow has been reduced. The therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including wound healing, severe infections, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
During treatment, patients rest inside a clear chamber while breathing pure oxygen at pressures higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Sessions typically last one to two hours, depending on the condition being treated. Most patients can watch television, or rest during their treatment. The increased oxygen levels promote healing by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels, reducing swelling and supporting the body's natural ability to repair injured tissue.
For Barney, she found the experience relaxing. Her treatment included eight, two-hour sessions. She remembers resting and watching home improvement shows while in the chamber. While she appreciated the comfortable nature of the care, it was the results are what impressed her most.
“We were driving home, heading down the street and I said ‘I can see,” said Barney. After several treatments, Barney’s sight was partially restored in her left eye.
It has been almost two years, and Barney has maintained partial restored sight in her left eye. She credits the hyperbaric treatment for this improvement, after her initial fear was that she wouldn’t be able to see out of her eye.
St. James is excited to continue to offer the latest in hyperbaric medicine with the installation of a new hyperbaric chamber at the hospital. The recent installation of the new hyperbaric chamber strengthens St. James Hospital's commitment to delivering advanced wound care services locally.
Patients benefit from expanded access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, greater treatment availability, and a more comfortable care experience. The additional chamber also enhances the team's ability to accommodate growing patient needs while maintaining the personalized and compassionate care.
“This investment reflects our commitment to keeping high-quality, specialized care close to home,” said Coloton Ryan, MD, St. James Wound Care Medical Director . “This new chamber allows us to provide advanced healing treatments right here in our community, improving access to care and supporting better outcomes for patients across Southwest Montana.”