Broken blood vessels in eyes following Scuba

[SnakeRiverPirate]

Yesterday, I was diving at Blue lake, Utah.

This morning I awoke and upon looking in the mirror noticed that both eyes have good sized broken blood vessels in the white. they are bout 7-MM in size.

Is this something to worry about? My max depth was 55 feet with an altitude adjustment to a guesstimated 65 feet. Could this be due to the aspirin therapy that I am on? I will attempt to post pics.

My other meds are Metformin, Coreg 25 mg/2x per day, simvastatin, and actos 45 mg

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/IdahoHunter/eyeballs002.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/IdahoHunter/eyeballs001.jpg

 

[Pearldiver07]

Usually this is related to mask squeeze. I've seen several divers who get task loaded and don't equalize as often as they should during the dive resulting int this.

Years ago a student of mine had this happen during the night dive during his AOW class. Because we came up and took care of our gear and headed home in dark with minimal lighting no one saw it.

When he got home his wife exploded. That was the dangerous part. His only real issue was that he worked in sales. His doctor didn't see anything wrong other than cosmetic. But I note that this was his doctor. I'd see one just to get a look at the retina, etc., to make sure that it is only cosmetic.

BTW - his doctor did request he stay out of diving until the body reabsorbed the blood.

Hope that this helped.

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

Thanks, PearlDiver!

I had more squeeze than normal this trip. I also went deeper than I have had the chance to in the past.

I figure it'll clear up in a day or two.

I just had experienced good luck with the dive medicine forum in the past and figured I couldn't be the only one to ever have this.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Pirate,

What is described and pictured almost certainly is subconjunctival hemorrhaging as a result of mask squeeze.

The expectation is that the spots will resolve without residua. It is best if there is no significant itching, swelling, discomfort or visual disturbance.

If the condition alters for the worse in any fashion, prompt medical attention would be prudent.

Here's what DAN says about it:

Mask Squeeze
DAN Divers Alert Network : Mask Squeeze

And remember, it can always be worse----> British Sub-Aqua Club Photo http://www.bsac14.org.uk/photo/masksq2w.jpg

Aspirin has an antiplatelet effect and is known to contribute to bleeding. The effect is dose-related and amounts below 40-mg/day likely pose negligible risk.

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.

 

[leslieinpv]

Hi,
I took a group out diving, they were in town for a wedding. the wedding party decided to go diving the day before the wedding. unfortunetly the best man got the biggest squeeze i ever saw, not only was his eyes completely red( no whites to be seen) but he also had 2 black eyes as if someone had punched him. If it was not for everyone laughing at him( but me) when he surfaced, he said he never felt a thing.
I always thought that a mask squeeze around halloween time would be good to go with just about any costume. lol

 

[SnakeRiverPirate]

Someone getting punched at a wedding? Sounds like my family!

Thanks for the info guys.

I may drop by the optometrist just for a look see. But personally i don't think that it is a big deal. Just another bump in the learning curve.