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CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)57418
CIS number 92-300
ISSN - Serial title 0095-6562 - Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
Year 1991
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Butler F.K.
Title Decompression sickness presenting as optic neuropathy
Bibliographic information Apr. 1991, Vol.62, No.4, p.346-350. Illus. 11 ref.
Abstract Report of a case of acute optic nerve dysfunction seen in a parachutist after repeated hypobaric exposures. The patient made 2 to 4 high altitude exposures per day for 4 days in an unpressurised aircraft at a maximum altitude of 3,636-3,939m. Resultant symptoms included persistent headache, paracentral scotoma and decreased visual acuity in the left eye. Symptoms improved promptly following treatment with recompression and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is believed to be the first case of decompression sickness presenting as optic neuropathy.
Descriptors (primary) decompression sickness; high altitude; optic neuritis
Descriptors (secondary) case study; hemianopia; amblyopia; negative pressure
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Transport and communications
Broad subject area(s) Physical hazards
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the eye and vision damage
Hypobaric pressure
Hyperbaric pressure