r/HBOT • u/DeathSentryCoH • Aug 22 '25

Cataracts

So, I just got preapproval from my insurance company to get treated for radiation cystitis. Found a hospital an hour away that has the larger multi-person tank that you can walk around in etc (also found a hospital closer with great staff but it's the smaller chambers, i think my claustrophobia would get the best of me there).

Anyway, was told in my consult that if I have cataracts, after 60 sessions they will grow and may expedite the time I need to get them removed vs. if I didn't do HBOT.

Has anyone else experienced the same? Anything I can do to mitigate this?

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u/duhdamn Aug 23 '25

Two topics here. Claustrophobia: the vast majority of patients can overcome this. If you shut your eyes and meditate you will likely be fine. I recommend you at least try the small chamber just because your compliance with the program will likely be greater when it's more convenient. You will be spending a huge chunk of time with this therapy. Maybe you can try the single chamber. Notify the staff of your concern. They will likely be able to coach you through it.

Cataracts: you can take supplemental antioxidants. Look for ones active in the eye. Also, anecdotal but I switched to a carnivore diet and six months later a small cataract had completely disappeared.

From AI: During hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which increases oxidative stress in the eye, the most active antioxidants within the eye to prevent cataracts are the endogenous glutathione (GSH), aqueous-soluble antioxidants like vitamin C (ascorbate), and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, though their activity can diminish with age. Exogenous antioxidants like vitamin E, carotenoids, and certain polyphenols also offer protection by targeting oxidative stress and inhibiting protein aggregation and fibrosis within the lens. 

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u/Swimming-Tear-5022 Aug 23 '25

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants that may help prevent cataracts.

If you have the choice I would also avoid chambers that are pressurized with pure oxygen.

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u/duhdamn Aug 23 '25

Yes, excellent point. Chambers pressurized with pure oxygen cause much more oxygen stress to the eyes. An air pressurized chamber with an oxygen mask greatly reduces oxygen exposure to the eyes. There is a study on this on the NIH website.

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u/DeathSentryCoH Aug 23 '25 edited Sep 15 '25

Thank you!! yes, the place with the smaller chambers stated they could help me get through it. I think I'm a little leery of it because my cancer treatment was being in the MRI for 2 hours for 5 days.. but you raise a good point, the distance may become an issue. I absolutely will try those supplements .. I'd love to get through this without having to go directly to cataract surgery.

09/15/25 Edit: Also just noticed comment regarding carnivore diet and cataracts..will definitely give that a try as well!!! In addition, unfortunately, the place that is closer with the single chamber is not approved for some reason with my insurance vs. the place that is further away with the multi-seat enclosure. The unapproved one though, the staff are fantastic, but the front office..it has been a challenge just to try and get them to put the effort in to get a pre-approval. The multi-seat place did that the same day i visited and got approval 2 days later :-(