While most of us don’t spend too
much time at very high altitudes there are situations worth mentioning as some patients
who spend a great deal of time in high altitudes-skiing, mountain climbing or
even just touring-may be concerned about the effects on their eyes, especially
if they are at risk for eye problems or diseases related to hypoxia or not
enough oxygen.
Researchers from the Tübingen
High Altitude Ophthalmology (THAO) reporting in the journal Investigative
Ophthalmology & Visual Science examined the effect of high altitude on
the cornea and on the drainage angle of the eye-a key anatomical landmark for
predicting narrow angle glaucoma risk. Using the advanced imaging technique of
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) they studied corneal thickness changes and
the depth and shape of the “anterior chamber angle” to determine the effects of
high altitude. In normal healthy eyes, they found that a significant degree of
reversible corneal swelling occurred with increasing altitude but no effect was
noted on the size or shape of the eye fluid drainage angle. Since the corneal
swelling was reversible it was not damaging. However, for patients with corneal
dystrophy problems such as Fuchs Dystrophy, any endothelial dystrophy or
compromise there may be some delay in the deswelling of the cornea. For
patients who might be at risk for narrow angle glaucoma, the researchers
reported that no change in angle depth or shape occurred at the higher
altitudes-and thus there was no increase in angle closure glaucoma risk.
If
you or someone you know has a question about the potential for eye
problems at high altitude please call The Eye Care & Surgery
Center at 908-789-8999, visit The
Eye Care & Surgery Center
or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists
who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide
eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction
such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of
cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration
(AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and
cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin
rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses,
eyewear and optical services.
With
locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10
Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite
1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care &
Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for
patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.
