Diving after eye surgery

[Wiko1934]

Hi,
I have glaucoma in both eyes for a very long time and have been diving (with doctor's approval) without any problems which would agree to what I read in this forum. I only started in Nov/97 at age 63 and received my Padi Master Scuba Diver in May/98 which included among verious other certifications a speciality certification for Deep diving (have been to 55 m - exception, not at all the rule - paticularly at my age).

I then also developed cataracts and in Sep/04 (right eye) & Nov/04 (left eye) I underwent combined glaucoma/cataract surgery. In Feb/05 my pressure in the left eye was still somewhat low (6) and the right eye was 16 (i.e. within the normal range of 10 to 18). Asking my doctor at that time if I would still be able to dive after these operations, his answer was: "I really don't know enough about this aspect". So I contacted a friend of mine in Germany who is an eye specialist who in turn contacted someone specializing in sports after glaucoma operations.

The answer I received was that after a few weeks after glaucoma operation one could dive again providing the medication "MITOMYCIN-C" was not given during the operations. My friend said that that medication is usually only given if a repeated glaucoma operation was undertaken. I of course will verify with my doctor whether or not I received that medication.

No specific feedback was received as to the cataract issue but my friend believes that the artificial lenses in the eyes are just as firmly embedded as the natural ones and hence there should be no problem with diving. I am aware that people dive with contact lenses (soft only I believe) but they are on the eye, not like my artificial replacement lenses being "AcrySof" Natural IOL - see: www.cataractsurgery.com which are embedded within the eyes. I do not know whether the special material of those lenses are similar to soft or hard contact lenses.

Any comments/opinions/feedback on these issues?

Thanks, Willi

 

[Lloyd]

Do you know what type of glaucoma surgery you had? Was it filtration with a bleb?
Lloyd

 

[Wiko1934]

Do you know what type of glaucoma surgery you had? Was it filtration with a bleb?
Lloyd

I don't know as I am very "green" when it comes to medical issues, basically just trusting the doctor.
I did take a copy of the "consent" and of the "Pre-Printed orders for Ophthalmology" forms. The former reads "cataract extraction with lens implant & trabeculectomy, and the latter has intitials on
a) the same as stated above,
b) with penetrating keratoplasty and
c) with other: blue (unreadable), I assume that means the special lens which is to also protect from "blue light"
d) Mannitol 20 % - 100ml IV over 45 minutes startin 1 hours pre-op
e) if pationt on Warfarin: INR at time of pre-op clinic visit.
The info on the back of the latter form I can't read.

Not sure this helps, but any freeback, re diving after glaucoma operation and diving with the implanted lenses would be appreciated.
Willi

 

[Lloyd]

Cataract surgery is no problem. Usually 5-** or Mitomycin is used after a trab. Here is a good link with a glaucoma specialist's comments on diving after a filtration surgery.

http://www.wills-glaucoma.org/supportgroup/20041201.php

Did you have a keratoplasty too? If you have doubts, have your Dr. tell you exactly what he did and contact DAN.
Lloyd

 

[Wiko1934]

Cataract surgery is no problem. Usually 5-** or Mitomycin is used after a trab. Here is a good link with a glaucoma specialist's comments on diving after a filtration surgery.

http://www.wills-glaucoma.org/supportgroup/20041201.php

Did you have a keratoplasty too? If you have doubts, have your Dr. tell you exactly what he did and contact DAN.
Lloyd

Thanks very much Lloyd. I had a look at the link and even printed it out to take to my doctor at my next visit and also provided a copy to my friend in Germany. As to keratoplasty, I shall search the web to find out what it is. It was a listing on that form and the doctor had made either an inital or wrote something else. The initial or whatever it was was next to the box not in it. Anyway I certainly will ask him to find out exactly what he did and what medication he used and then contact DAN. Would you know whether the feedback I received via my German friend as to "no more diving if MITOMYCIN-C was used" was correct?
Your help with this issue is very much appreciated and most likely will assist others too searching for an answer to this as most eye doctors probably know little about diving an the possible effect on the eye.
Thanks again, Willi

 

[Lloyd]

Keratoplasty is a corneal transplant. That would contraindicate diving for a long time since the incisions heal slowly. If you had it done, you should have a circle with stitches on your cornea. Also your vision is usually bad for quite awhile after that surgery.

I don't think mitomycin-c should be an absolute contraindication to diving. It slows healing and prevents vascularization of the bleb. As long as there is no mechanical trauma and the wound has healed, you should be ok. Again, talk to your Dr. He can tell you when the wound has healed.

Let me know how it turns out.

Now to make my lawyers happy. This is general educational advise not specific medical advise (We need a cut and paste lawyer fine print option).

Good luck,
Lloyd

 

[Wiko1934]

Keratoplasty is a corneal transplant. That would contraindicate diving for a long time since the incisions heal slowly. If you had it done, you should have a circle with stitches on your cornea. Also your vision is usually bad for quite awhile after that surgery.

I don't think mitomycin-c should be an absolute contraindication to diving. It slows healing and prevents vascularization of the bleb. As long as there is no mechanical trauma and the wound has healed, you should be ok. Again, talk to your Dr. He can tell you when the wound has healed.

Let me know how it turns out.

Now to make my lawyers happy. This is general educational advise not specific medical advise (We need a cut and paste lawyer fine print option).

Good luck,
Lloyd

Thanks a million. In rectospect I'm now quite certain there was no Keratoplasty as all other lines had an x in the box and an inition. Here was no x in the box and what I thought was an intial may have been "no". Anyway, as soon as my doctor is back from holidays I'll ask him and since I have now belatedly educated myself somewhat, I'll know what to ask. You have given my hope that my diving days are not yet over, never mind my advanced age. Still trying to keep up with my many young friends in Mexico, many of them diving instructors and I'm overdue for another 2 months visit.

Will let you know what my doctor says and again my thanks.
Willi

 

[Wiko1934]

Lloyd, I had left a written recapitulation of my investigation and feedback received with my doctor's office including 5 specific questions, most of which could be answered with a simple yes or no. After periodic calls to his office, I finally today received an answer. Not any specific anwsers to my 5 questions, but his office told me I could scuba dive. So, Cancun here I come.
Again my thanks Lloyd for your help with this.

 

[Lloyd]

You are welcome. Have fun.
Lloyd