J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Dec;51(12):1598-1605.

The Changes of Intraocular Pressure, Optic Nerve and Visual Field in SCUBA Diving

• Jeoung SM
• Kim SG
• Kwon JD

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine how SCUBA diving activities in high-pressure underwater environment affect their intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the shape of optic disc.
METHODS
We performed visual acuity and refractory test, IOP test, VF test, RNFL photography, optical coherent tomography, and 3D optic disc photography for a group of 32 people and a control group of 32 non-divers, and analyzed the differences between the two groups. For the diver group, we conducted a questionnaire survey on the patterns of diving and diving experience, and analyzed their correlation with results of test.
RESULTS
Compared to the Control, the diver group showed significant difference in the mean IOP (diver group: 15.71 +/- 2.54 mmHg, control group: 14.23 +/-2.15 mmHg, p = 0.019), and abnormal visual field (diver group: 7 eyes (11.3%), control group: 0 eye (0%), p = 0.006). 85.7% of abnormal visual field belonged to early defect. The diver group did not showed significant difference in the shape of optic disc (p = 0.546), but the optic nerve atrophy in shape of optic disc test field (diver group: 8 eyes (12.9%), control group: 2 eyes (3.1%), p = 0.042) was significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS
Divers who did SCUBA diving activities need to have a glaucoma test regularly. Additional research and large cross or longitudinal study are needed to evaluate causes that scuba diving activities affect.

Keyword

Intraocular pressure; Optic nerve; SCUBA diving; Visual field

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Diving
Eye
Glaucoma
Intraocular Pressure
Nerve Fibers
Optic Nerve
Photography
Surveys and Questionnaires
Retinaldehyde
Visual Acuity
Visual Fields
Retinaldehyde

Reference

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