retina reattacment surgery and flying

[lexiecat]

My husband had retina reattachment surgery 1.08.08 and it is now 3.29.08. The gas bubble is about 10% of his field of vision. He needs to fly for his job. He is 60 years old. Would it be safe for him to fly with this small amount of gas still in his eye? He does not have vision in this eye. He was hoping he would have his poor vision back but everything is foggy.He has been told he has a cataract and that is why his vision is so poor. But nonetheless, he still needs to fly. Should he take the chance or wait until the bubble is totally gone?
Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[lexiecat]

My husband was given the same instructions. He defied the instructions going to Johnstown PA through the mountains after 1 month. Then after 2 months he went by train from Eastern PA to Chicago, again through mountains. Since he had no  pain ,he is now going by train to Cleveland ( through mountains again) but at least he is now listening and not pushing the envelope and going by plane. He was going to defy the doctor again and go by plane. I appreciate the input.
Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[kanan]

wHEN I HAD THE GAS BUBBLE IN MY EYE i WAS TOLD I CERTAINLY  COULD NOT FLY.  iN FACT, I HAD TO WEAR A BLUE BRACELET THAT WAS NOT TAKEN OFF BY THE DR. UNTIL THE GAS BUBBLE HAD COMPLETELY DISAPPEARAED.  i WAS ALSO WARNED ABOUT DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER ELEVATION.
KAMAL

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You are welcome.

[lexiecat]

Thank you so much for your response. My husband has not been a " good" patient. He has been angry about the doctor's instructions from day 1. Having you endorse the doctor by not saying 10% bubble  gives the gas enough room to expand in the eye if it does do that in flying, has made my husband more willing to listen to his doctor. His doctor unconditionally said " no flying until the bubble is gone" . Even more he said he has to come in and be checked when he thinks the bubble is gone to make sure it is gone before he can fly. Thank you for not saying he can fly.
Lexiecat

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

This is a question that must be answered by his surgeon and only his surgeon can answer.

JCH III MD