Corneal Hematoma from Diving?

[Bowler800]

Do any of you know of anyone who has broke a blood vessel in their eye from diving?
If so why does it happen.

 

[BKP]

Mask squeeze...

As you descend, and the volume in the mask decreases, it's necessary to exhale a bit into the mask to equalize that volume... Otherwise there is reverse pressure on the eyes...

 

[knotical]

But I thought mask squeeze would usually affect the sclera, rather than the cornea.

 

[BKP]

But I thought mask squeeze would usually affect the sclera, rather than the cornea.

You may very well be right...

I'm not a doctor (much less a diving doctor). However, the one time I've surfaced with one *very* bloodshot eye I knew it was the squeeze. New mask, and I realized I'd let the squeeze go too long.

Most of the red was in the sclera, and thinking back, I don't believe there was any in the cornea...

(That'll teach *me* not to read every word in the query...)

 

[TSandM]

There are no blood vessels in the cornea. In fact, that's important, because if there were, it would not be the clear transmitter of light that it is. If you have broken a blood vessel in the eye, it is almost certainly in the conjunctivae, resulting in what's called a subconjunctival hematoma. This is a red patch overlying the white part of the eye and can be extensive and quite alarming in appearance, but is a benign condition which will resolve without treatment.

Mask squeeze is one cause. Overly aggressive attempts to equalize can be another. Sometimes we can't identify the minor trauma that caused the bleeding.

 

[Ed Palma]

As TSandM pointed out, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a benign condition. People presenting with this condition are often asked if they exerted any effort, like lifting weights, or did anything that can transiently increase pressure, like coughing or straining.
As benign as the condition may be to the eye, sometimes it becomes necessary to evaluate the overall condition of the person as they may have underlying conditions that might make them prone to bleeding.

 

[Pearlman]

Folks
I just had a fall and suffered this condition that wiki defines as a Subconjunctival hemorrhage. I just landed in Thailand and the diving begins in one week just after Christmas.

Yes I know it's supposedly benign, but I worry. I hope our ok when the condition is caused by blunt trauma rather than mask squeeze?



Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

 

[TSandM]

Avoid mask squeeze and try not to Valsalva hard when you equalize, and everything should be fine. You will have a substantial amount of healing having gone on by a week post-injury.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Do any of you know of anyone who has broke a blood vessel in their eye from diving?
If so why does it happen.

I've ruptured Descemet's membrane (Corneal Hydrops) in my left cornea resulting in total opacification -I couldn't see out of my left eye for half a year- but that was due mostly to advanced Keratoconus disease with corneal thinning (might have to undergo elective corneal tissue transplant/keratoplasty surgery). My Ophthalmology Surgeon says that wear & tear from hard contacts and pressure effects from diving over the years could be minor contributing factors.

AOCLE - Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators

 

[gcarter]

Does glaucoma / elevated intraocular pressure predispose for this?