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We thank Ilhan and associates for the interest expressed in our manuscript. As was rightfully pointed out in their letter, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could represent a promising adjunctive treatment in patients affected by post-alkali peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) with scleritis. The anticollagenolitic effect and the reduction of the local production of free radicals induced by hyperbaric oxygen could possibly aid in interrupting the vicious cycle of corneal/scleral inflammation and necrosis in this subset of patients. Based on the guidelines of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and on peer-reviewed scientific literature, the evidence base for the use of hyperbaric oxygen in keratitis and/or scleritis is quite limited at present. Access to hyperbaric oxygen is also not uniformly available. We do not have any personal experience with the use of hyperbaric oxygen in PUK and/or scleritis patients. Further clinical studies would be needed to define a potential role for hyperbaric oxygen as a treatment modality in cases of PUK and/or scleritis nonresponsive to other measures.

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Jan 7, 2017 | Posted by in OPHTHALMOLOGY | Comments Off on Reply

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