Can lack of oxygen cause wet macular degeneration?
MAR 03, 2014
Question:
Can lack of oxygen cause wet macular degeneration? I had maxillofacial surgery and went into respiratory failure. I was kept on a ventilator for about two weeks and in a drug-induced coma. Since that time I had the vision loss.
Answer:
There are many factors that can contribute to the development or worsening of macular degeneration. Lack of oxygen could cause loss of vision due to effects on the retina, choroid or optic nerve. However it would be unlikely to cause macular degeneration. A thorough eye and retina exam by an ophthalmologist should help to clarify the loss of vision and the presence or absence of macular degeneration.