G T Kokame1, M R Ing. 1. Retina Center at Pali Momi, Aiea, HI 96701.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Air travel has been contraindicated for patients with intraocular gas on the basis of experimental studies, because of the risk of elevated intraocular pressure during atmospheric depressurization. METHODS: A clinical study of gas bubble volume and intraocular pressure rise during a low-altitude air flight was performed on a patient with a gas bubble volume of 65% after retinal detachment surgery. RESULTS: The flight was well tolerated, and the patient did not experience pain or decreased vision. The maximum altitude of the flight was 3,000. Maximum intraocular pressure was 49 mmHg, with a baseline of 16 mmHg. Increases in intraocular pressure and bubble volume were instantaneous with changes in altitude. Implications for pressurized flight situations are discussed. CONCLUSION: Low-altitude air flight can be well tolerated by patients with intraocular gas, even with a relatively large vitreous cavity gas fill. Decisions about when to let patients with intraocular gas fly should be made on an case-to-case basis, depending on ocular factors and the planned flight characteristics.
BACKGROUND: Air travel has been contraindicated for patients with intraocular gas on the basis of experimental studies, because of the risk of elevated intraocular pressure during atmospheric depressurization. METHODS: A clinical study of gas bubble volume and intraocular pressure rise during a low-altitude air flight was performed on a patient with a gas bubble volume of 65% after retinal detachment surgery. RESULTS: The flight was well tolerated, and the patient did not experience pain or decreased vision. The maximum altitude of the flight was 3,000. Maximum intraocular pressure was 49 mmHg, with a baseline of 16 mmHg. Increases in intraocular pressure and bubble volume were instantaneous with changes in altitude. Implications for pressurized flight situations are discussed. CONCLUSION: Low-altitude air flight can be well tolerated by patients with intraocular gas, even with a relatively large vitreous cavity gas fill. Decisions about when to let patients with intraocular gas fly should be made on an case-to-case basis, depending on ocular factors and the planned flight characteristics.
Authors: George Mangouritsas; Spyridon Mourtzoukos; Dimitra M Portaliou; Vassilios I Georgopoulos; Anastasia Dimopoulou; Elias Feretis Journal: Clin Ophthalmol Date: 2013-04-15