failed treatment for detached retina

I've had 2 surgeries to repair a detached retina in 2008, 1st surgery to do the repair and a year later to remove the silicone oil.  (the oil was used versus the gas due to the changes in altitudes where I live)  The retina has re-detached, I also have a very thick cataract, no insurance and no money for further treatment and I now have almost no eye sight at all, not even lights and shadows.  My question is this:  will it be ok for me to fly a commercial airliner or will the high altitude cause further damage.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If you are not going to have further treatment, I'm not sure if you will have any vision at all before long in that eye.  I would ltry to get funding from the local department of health or the division of blind services or vocational rehabilitation in your county and try to at least get the retina re-attached.  Then cataract surgery later may help as well.  Regarding flying, it is not allowed if you have gas in the eye.  Other than that, I can't make any further comment about your case and you need to talk to your surgeon if you want to see if flying is safe for you.  Good Luck.

MJK MD

[jlaser]

Thanks for the info.  At this point, it's too late...I have run out of treatment options and lost the vision so I will have to live blind in 1 eye.