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retinal tears and flying

My husband has been treated (laser) for 5 retinal tears in one eye.  At this point, the other eye is fine.  We will be taking 2 flights w/in the next month - one to Halifax (about 1.5 hrs flight) and one to London (about 6.5 hrs flight).  While I know that he shouldn't fly if he had a retinal detachment, I wonder if flying would increase his retinal tear issues.  For example, does cabin pressure or the force of taking off and landing exacerbate his condition?  Thank you for your help.
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Avatar universal
I have a Posterior Subcapsular Polar cataract and cortical in both eye. I also have a degenerative myopia and small vitreous detachment. I had the same group of doctors in NJ for 20 years. I moved to another state and now have different eye doctors. I have an Opthamologist who only used a loop to look at my eyes. I have seen a retina specialist who told me seeing double is ok because my vision is 20/30 and can not be corrected any longer to 20/20. I had 20/20 in 2015 and 20/25 in 2016 and 20/30 in 2017.   The doctors haven’t done a refraction since 2017. In NJ they did a refraction every year.  My vision has stabilized only 2 times my entire life. I am 47 and worried about my low vision. I can barely read, I can’t see the TV. My eyes are dry. Driving during the day in bright sun or even overcast is practically blinding. Driving at night all I see is halos and it looks like cats are driving head on into me.  Is this it? My eye sight is just going to ruin the rest of my life? I am a -12.50 and a -12.00 with an astigmatism. I also have lots of floaters and flashes. Especially when I cough the flashes are scary.
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Why do you keep going back to eye doctors that are doing inadequate exams. Tell me where you live and I'll try and suggest some place for quality care.
Avatar universal
I have an atrophic hole in one eye that needs to be prophylactically treated before it causes detachment.  However, I too am slated to fly to London this January.  Can the changes in cabin pressure cause the hole to become bigger or worsen my condition?  In other words, should I consider having the treatment before I travel?
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are welcome.

JCH III MD

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Avatar universal
Once again, I appreciate your thorough replies to my questions.  Medhelp has been a great source of information and you, doctor, in particular.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Flying is only a problem if, during the repair surgery, the surgeon has instilled a gas (SF6) to hold the retina in place. The decreased air pressure causes the gas to expand and create a number of problems.

So your husband and you can enjoy your travels without worrying about problems to the eye. (biggest eye problem with flying is the dry atmospere which can cause dryness pain, watering, burning, etc.

Happy travels
JCH III MD
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