Diving with Glaucoma

[CRT2]

Wife is being treated for glaucoma and has received differing advice from medical doctors concerning scuba diving and negative outcomes for vision. Are there any studies available?

 

[Umuntu]

Why not try a Google scholar search ?

Google Scholar

scholar.google.com

 

[CRT2]

I think you've raised here a very important point: the "cards" you have don't reflect your real skills. The problem is that this goes both ways - I've seen Master Dive with terrible buoyancy and air consumption panicking for a bit of current...
Recreational certs often only tell how much money you spent more than what you can do but it's a complex topic...

Why not try a Google scholar search ?

Google Scholar

scholar.google.com

Thanks. Wasn’t aware of this site.

 

[tursiops]

I've had glaucoma for years, treated with meds and surgery, with three ophthalmologist involved. I continue to dive without issues. Search for a review article by Frank Butler, check with DAN, and read this: High-Pressure Ophthalmology
Good luck.

 

[CRT2]

Thanks tursiops. Glad to hear diving had little if any effect. As with any disease everything is not the same. Seems there are at least 3 different forms of glaucoma, so, wife has an appointment with a new opthamologist. Similar to my sliding hiatal hernia, MD said don’t dive; however, Otolaryngologist cleared me to dive with an ascend slowly admonition.

 

[LI-er]

There are 2 main types of glaucoma, the most common is COAG or "chronic open angle glaucoma", where there is either over production of aqueous fluid within the eyeball, or poor drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber. The second, much less common form is acute or "angle closure glaucoma", which is due to the physiological shape of the anterior part of the eyeball. In these patients the anterior chamber is shallow and during certain conditions, primarily low light, possibly related to certain drugs, and even a persons emotional state, the pupil can dilate enough that the ruffled edges of the iris cause a block and the pressure of the eyeball escalates dramatically, to the point that blindness can occur following only one angle closure attack. These patients are usually treated preventatively with a laser that makes pinholes in the iris as an alternative drainage route, typically under the upper lid where they are not visible. Medications are not indicated. As compared to COAG, where the pressure is high but the damage takes years. This type of glaucoma is typically treated with eye drops but surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for meds.

There are a few other types such as pigmentary dispersion syndrome, where the iris sheds pigment which can clog the drainage system of the eyeball, and glaucoma due to trauma to the drainage system. There's another type of glaucoma called "low tension glaucoma" where the anterior chambers are wide open, the IOPs (intraocular pressures) are tested to be within normal ranges and yet there is progressive vision loss consistent with glaucoma. Recent studies have indicated this may not be glaucoma at all rather an underlying undiagnosed neurological issue that masquerades as glaucoma.

Regardless of the type, there is no contraindication to diving with glaucoma.

Oh and it's "ophthalmologist". Surprising the spell check didn't catch that one.

 

[CRT2]

LI-er thank you for the information and the correction.