I recently had a vision problem - I was seeing flashing lights in my peripheral vision when out at night. Saw an opthomologist who diagnosed 'posterior vitreous separation' which is where the gel inside the eyeball separates from the lining of the eye causing a flashing light sensation. He said it would get better with time and is actually quite commom as you get older (I'm 55) When I asked him about diving with this condition he said I should be fine, just don't go really deep. As he was not a scuba diver, I was unable to get a clear definition from him as to what he considered "really deep". Problem is, I'm going on a dive vacation next week and am planning to get myAOW there which, of course, includes a deep dive. Anyone out there been diving with this condition? We're leaving 11/09 so any reassurance would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
Diving with "posterior vitreous separation"
- Thread starter ssimpala
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I agree, scary answer. Get some more informed opinions, I'd say.
(I would be asking what is in the "void" created by the seperation so that I could inquire about the physics, myself. I thought bubbles and particulate caused flashes, I'd need to pin that part down. I have heard of microbubble emboli in retinal arteries and I would be full of questions. Obviously, you would not want to increase the seperation. I wonder what they think caused this in the first place? Sometimes that could be a clue. Personally, I find all the answers are not always out there and you have to use your gut.
I would at least wait and not dive when the visual disturbances were "fresh".
I'm a cardiologist, not an ophthalmologist but I can't think why greater depths would be a problem for a non-compressible fluid filled structure like the vitreous portion of your eye. However, it's your vision we're talking about. Call DAN and get some expert advice. If needed, they can refer you to a diving-knowledgeable ophthalmologist in your area.
gert7to3
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I'm an ophthalmic photographer, not a physician, but perhaps could offer some insight.
Your eye's shape is maintained by the vitreous humor. Vitreous is not a simple fluid filling the eyeball, but a membrane filled with a thin (watery) gel. As we age this membrane breaks down and can separate, sometimes unevenly, from the retina. This separation causes traction, which stimulates the retina, resulting in the sensations of flashing lights you are experiencing. Since your eye is still completely fluid filled, there shouldn't be any greater risk from diving. There are no bubbles forming. Think in terms of pulling a piece of Saran Wrap off the bottom of a bowl filled with water.
I'm 57 and can document my own vitreous separating using an optical coherence tomography microscope.
You should keep track of this by covering each eye separately and checking their respective visual fields. By keeping both eyes open you won't squint and induce visual effects.
The things to watch out for: If you experience flashes in brightly lighted rooms; if you see a bunch of floaters or spots suddenly form, especially accompanied by flashes; if you see a shadow form in your visual field. Have this checked out immediately by an eye doctor. High myopes (nearsighted) people are most susceptible to complications from vitreous separation.
Dive safe, be confident.
Your eye's shape is maintained by the vitreous humor. Vitreous is not a simple fluid filling the eyeball, but a membrane filled with a thin (watery) gel. As we age this membrane breaks down and can separate, sometimes unevenly, from the retina. This separation causes traction, which stimulates the retina, resulting in the sensations of flashing lights you are experiencing. Since your eye is still completely fluid filled, there shouldn't be any greater risk from diving. There are no bubbles forming. Think in terms of pulling a piece of Saran Wrap off the bottom of a bowl filled with water.
I'm 57 and can document my own vitreous separating using an optical coherence tomography microscope.
You should keep track of this by covering each eye separately and checking their respective visual fields. By keeping both eyes open you won't squint and induce visual effects.
The things to watch out for: If you experience flashes in brightly lighted rooms; if you see a bunch of floaters or spots suddenly form, especially accompanied by flashes; if you see a shadow form in your visual field. Have this checked out immediately by an eye doctor. High myopes (nearsighted) people are most susceptible to complications from vitreous separation.
Dive safe, be confident.
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Hi ssimpala,
Quicker to call DAN at (919) 684-2948 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST). Email slower, but gets you a written response you can give to your doctor -- https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/myaccount/mscc/emailmedic.asp
Do be aware that most of the time you'll speak with a para-professional, such as an RN or DMT, not a physician. And, the response more often than not will not be particularly extensive or educational. Usually it will be a variation on the theme set out on their Medical FAQS section (e.g., Eye Conditions That Will Keep You Out of the Water; DAN Divers Alert Network : Eye Conditions That Will Keep You Out of the Water).
Also, it's easy to say, "Call DAN for a referral," but the fact is their referral base is often quite thin outside of major metropolitan areas (like rural Ohio), especially when it comes to specialists like ophthalmologists.
Please let the board know what you find out and decide.
Best of luck.
DocVikingo
Quicker to call DAN at (919) 684-2948 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST). Email slower, but gets you a written response you can give to your doctor -- https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/myaccount/mscc/emailmedic.asp
Do be aware that most of the time you'll speak with a para-professional, such as an RN or DMT, not a physician. And, the response more often than not will not be particularly extensive or educational. Usually it will be a variation on the theme set out on their Medical FAQS section (e.g., Eye Conditions That Will Keep You Out of the Water; DAN Divers Alert Network : Eye Conditions That Will Keep You Out of the Water).
Also, it's easy to say, "Call DAN for a referral," but the fact is their referral base is often quite thin outside of major metropolitan areas (like rural Ohio), especially when it comes to specialists like ophthalmologists.
Please let the board know what you find out and decide.
Best of luck.
DocVikingo
Just got off the phone with DAN (thanks for the phone # DocVikingo). They were able to reassure me immediately that diving with this condition, even deep diving, would have no effect on this condition, something about pressure being evenly distributed so that ones eyes are not under additional stress while under water (I'm probably mis-quoting) They also referred me to an article by their resident opthomologist, Dr. Frank Butler, on the Dive Medicine forum, which I am going to look for now. Thanks Gert7to3 for your insight, it was comforting to hear from someone that actually dives with this condition. Thanks to all who replied, my stress level has dropped significantly!
gert7to3
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catherine9... I'll try to post an OCT image of one of my eyes showing vitreous separation.
I perform diagnostic studies for retinal specialists. My primary patient populations suffer diabetic retinopathey and age related macular degeneration. One of my doctors also specializes in ocular melanomas, so I see some of those pretty often too.
Glad my work isn't familiar to to you, hope I never need any medivac services, ever.
I perform diagnostic studies for retinal specialists. My primary patient populations suffer diabetic retinopathey and age related macular degeneration. One of my doctors also specializes in ocular melanomas, so I see some of those pretty often too.
Glad my work isn't familiar to to you, hope I never need any medivac services, ever.
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