Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Saves Eyesight for Roane Resident

Kelly Sims of Roane County credits her eye surgeon’s foresight for saving her vision after he referred her for outpatient hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) treatments at Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional.

“I had basal cell carcinoma that my dermatologist had removed easily in the early stages,” says Sims, 46. “However, it wasn’t so easy when one grew on my lower eyelid.” 

Sims underwent eye surgery to carefully remove the growth while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Her surgeon patched a skin graft from Sims’ collarbone area to help rebuild the structure of her lower eyelid. The eyelid is vital for healthy vision because it allows the eye to hold moisture. Without this function, eyesight can be lost completely.

Her eye surgeon became concerned when the skin graft was not healing properly. He referred her to the Wound Treatment Center and general surgeon Sarah Willard, MD, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

“Thanks to close attention and quick actions from the ophthalmologist and from our program director Dawn Lane and our team, we were able to expedite Kelly’s treatment, which is essential for this type of wound,” says Dr. Willard. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help patients like Kelly, who can heal and recover through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.”

The team implemented Sims’ HBO treatment plan immediately with the hope that oxygen therapy would help increase and rejuvenate the skin graft. To accelerate the healing process, Sims received her initial consecutive treatments over a weekend, outside of regular appointment times.

About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO treatment) involves exposing the body to 100 percent oxygen at higher pressures than we normally experience. Wounds need oxygen to heal correctly. Exposing a wound to 100 percent oxygen at higher pressures can sometimes speed the healing process.

To receive HBO treatments, a patient lies inside a clear vessel-like chamber where the oxygen is administered. The process is painless, and Sims says she either watched television or slept during her treatments. The HBO team updated her eye surgeon regularly regarding Sims’ progress as she received a total of 38 hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

“It could be claustrophobic for some people to be confined to this area, but with Randi and Dawn nearby, I knew they were carefully watching my progress and navigating my care. They are very special people to me,” Sims says.

“We knew it would take time for healing and gradually, the treatments started working,” she adds. “My friends and family noticed my eye was improving. I am so grateful for everyone who helped drive me and make the appointments possible so I could keep my eyesight.”

Looking Forward to the Future

Sims is no stranger to life’s challenges. The mother of four adult children, she lost her husband of nearly 25 years in 2020. She says, “You must stay positive and not give up. God willing, everything will be OK.”

Not only was Sims able to preserve her vision through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but she is also looking forward to seeing her first grandchild soon.