Hyperoxic myopia in a closed-circuit mixed-gas scuba diver.

A myopic shift occurred in a closed-circuit mixed-gas scuba diver using a 1.3 atm abs constant partial pressure of oxygen in a nitrogen-oxygen mix. This change was noticed after approximately 18 days of diving with a mean dive time of 4.04 h each day. The observed myopic shift was due to hyperoxic myopia, one sign of lenticular oxygen toxicity, and resolved over a 1 mo. period after diving was completed. On a subsequent drive trip, a myopic shift was found in both the index diver as well as two other divers breathing the same gasmix on similar profiles. Diving communities should be aware of the risk of both lenticular and pulmonary oxygen toxicity when conducting intensive diving at oxygen partial pressures in the 1.3-1.6 atm abs range.