Pain in right eye-ball ?!!?

[Jekaufman]

Ok, first of all, I want to tell you all that I am new to diving. This was my check out dive. I was in Florida at Crystal River and then Blue Gratto. When I got to Crystal River everything was ok. I was pumped, other than the cold water seaping into my wet-suit. So, I get my gear on, get in the water and get to the Three Kings hole. When my turn come up with my buddy I get in position and then partially deflate my BCD, as I begin slowly to descend, I start to feel pressure in my right eye-ball. It felt as if the pain was behind my right eye, my left one was fine. As the depth increased the pain did as well. So, I slowly rose up a little to see if I could equalize. I cleared my ears, equalized my mask, etc. Nothing did the trick. So, I went to the surface. The pain was pretty harsh. So, I took a break and then tried it again, still, same pain. So, next day at Blue Gratto; I am thinking that everything will be ok and I can knock out the rest of my dives to get certified. So, I start to go down and the same thing! I start to get pissed, and I said **** it. So, I very very slowly went down to about 35 feet and the pain was still there. I did all my skills training and then went to the surface. I had to finish all my dives to get certified, so I sucked it up and did. The whole time while my eye was hurting. It is still hurting now as I type this thread. However, I am assuming that it will feel better tomorrow like it did the first day.

My question is, has anyone had this happen? Was it because of sinus problems? I don't have sinus problems and I never have. Is there some sort of blockage that was keeping it from equalizing? Is this something that will probably go away and next time I dive not be present? Is this something that I should see a doctor for? I am really confused. I felt like a panzie out there saying that I can't go down because of my eye. I got re-partnered up with this girl in the group that had problems with everything. That really pissed me off. I am not one to give up or have problems like this. Anyway, tell me your thoughts please.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Jacob

Hi. I had a similar problem when I was on a plane. It is because your sinuss are clogged- allergies, fluid whatever. Next time take a antihystamine before diving.

 

[PairofMedics]

Without venturing into a diagnosis...if you didn't suffer visual disturbances such as narrowing of the field of vision, double vision or blackened edges it's not likely your optic nerve. Likely it is a sinus issue, probably not an infection, but a chronic allergic issue. By the way...do you usualy sleep on your right side? Another possibility is simple normal drainage collecting where gravity takes it. If it hurts when you do something...stop doing it. Find a Doc.

 

[Aquadoc68]

What the heck did I say there LOL!!

 

[Xizang]

Hi. I had a similar problem when I was on a plane. It is because your sinuss are clogged- allergies, fluid whatever. Next time take a antihystamine before diving.

Is there a permanent solution to a clogged sinus? I have the same problem and most of the time I either just force it (and get bloodied mucus after the dive) or take really long to descend to more than 30 ft. My problem is I am a divemaster and when I get this and I am with clients its humiliating to have them wait for me to equalize my sinus.

 

[gert7to3]

Axua,

Get a medical exam. If this has happened repeatedly you may a have really clogged up one of your sinus cavities. There may be a chronic blockage or even a low grade infection.

Antihistimine/decongestant meds may help. However, they can give you rebound effects with regular use. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) works well, but could cause blood pressure issues and with regular use may become ineffective. It can also wear off, like in the middle of your second dive.

One divemaster I met in Cozumel flushed his sinuses with clean sea water (not in the harbor). You sort of slurp it up with your nose and spit it out through your mouth.

On eyes, pain is felt usually from external structures of the eye or referred pain from surrounding structures, like the sinuses. Nerves inside the eye are not attuned to sensing pain.

I'm an ophthalmic potographer, not a MD.

 

[gert7to3]

Found a great website for diving and eye issues:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/diveye.htm

 

[PairofMedics]

Hey there Jacob, just a thought...to add on. Welcome to the world of diving and I wish you the best of luck in your future dives, however, I wouldn't take another without seeing an Ears, nose and throat doctor. My thinking for this is all the ones mentioned before and the fact that there are lots of problems that are hard to diagnose. You may have sinus problems, the begining of glaucoma, an orbital tumor....the list goes on. Best to find out what is causing this.