scuba post orbital decompression surgery

[luvakumal]

Just curious if there are any divers out here who have had orbital decompression surgery. I had surgery about 3 years ago and have had no problems following. My husband and I are looking into getting certified. We currently love to snorkel, but would like to dive. I have verified with my doctors that there are no contraindications to scuba. But was wondering if anyone had some real life experience for me? Thanks!

 

[GSDMan]

Sorry, luvakumal, I have no first hand info to offer but, apparently, no one esle does, either. So, I'll throw my 2 cents out there.

I've never heard of orbital decompression, so I had to look it up. I guess the big question in my mind is why you had the surgery. If it was cosmetic I doubt you will have any issues. I saw two medical reasons for the surgery, too; Hyperthyroidism and Grave's Disease. I know about as much about those as I did about your surgery, but now I'm curious and would be interested to hear what some of the docs have to say about diving and these two conditions.

Another thought, and I don't know how to ask this tactfully, do you ever have trouble with your mask making a seal around the eye that had the surgery?

It seems to me if your docs have signed off on your diving that you'll likely have no problems.

Maybe you could share a little about your experience?

Jim

 

[luvakumal]

I had three wall decompression due to protrusion of my eyes from thyroid eye disease. So basically some of the bony socket in the back of my eyes is missing. This sounds a little gross... But what I worry about is my eyes being 'pushed' back into the socket due to the pressure. They said this isn't an issue. But they also don't dive. I don't totally understand the surgery and I've never dived - so that's why I have the question. This surgery isn't all that uncommon and I would think there has to be someone out there somewhere in my same boat My thyroid condition is being treated and I have no concerns with it.

Mask fit isn't a problem, except that I need a new one. I think the seal is going out, it worked great the first season, but I've had a few problems since. I'm going to a dive shop to get 'fitted' this time. Sucks, because I don't have much of a choice because I need to corrective lenses in the mask.

Let me know what you think from your standpoint with a diving background and pressures it can put on the eyes.

 

[NancyLynn]

in the diving medicine sub-forum of the marine science and physiology forum. You might get more answers - or maybe not, but folks with a fair amount of medical expertise and diving experience do check in there periodically.

 

[Damselfish]

Sucks, because I don't have much of a choice because I need to corrective lenses in the mask.

you should have pretty much unlimited choice - only some masks have pop in corrective lenses if that's what you're talking about, but you can get lenses put in any mask there are many places that do it.

 

[TSandM]

There should not be a problem with pressure moving your eyes. The tissues around the eyes are basically water-filled, and equalize to ambient pressure, and you equalize your mask to ambient for comfort, so there is no pressure differential to move the eyes.

 

[luvakumal]

There should not be a problem with pressure moving your eyes. The tissues around the eyes are basically water-filled, and equalize to ambient pressure, and you equalize your mask to ambient for comfort, so there is no pressure differential to move the eyes.

Thanks for the explanation! That helps me understand it so much better!