Diver to Diver > Dive Health and Safety

Diving for people with Posterior Vitreous Detachment

(1/1)

ouhkrlau:
I have recently been diagnosed as suffering from Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) in the right eye, does anyone know whether or not it is safe to do scuba diving and free diving (up to 15 meters) for people with PVD?

DocV:
Hi ouhkrlau,

Per http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/index.asp,  "Most of the eye's interior is filled with vitreous, a gel-like substance that helps the eye maintain a round shape. There are millions of fine fibers intertwined within the vitreous that are attached to the surface of the retina, the eye's light-sensitive tissue. As we age, the vitreous slowly shrinks, and these fine fibers pull on the retinal surface. Usually the fibers break, allowing the vitreous to separate and shrink from the retina. This is a vitreous detachmentent."]

Unless gas has been purposely introduced into the eye for ophthalmological purposes, the eye is not an air-containing space and as such the eye does not require equalization when diving.

Nonetheless, until medical clearance for return to SCUBA has been received from a qualified source it appears unwise to dive with a vitreous separation. It is possible that the separation could be aggravated by such activity and the retina become involved, at which point very serious visual impairment becomes a risk.

It would be prudent to avoid sudden head or eye movements and significant straining (e.g., lifting SCUBA cylinders). Also to endeavor to turn the head to look in a particular direction rather than hold the head in a fixed position and move the eyes.

You or your physician may wish to phone DAN at (919) 684-2948 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST). Email is slower, but gets you a written response -- https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/m...emailmedic.asp. DAN also may be able to make a referral to a diving medicine savvy ENT in your area.
  
Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

Reply