Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Visual manifestations of neurologic decompression sickness

D T Fitzpatrick1

  • 1Davis Hyperbaric Medicine Laboratory, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX.

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|August 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Visual changes like blurred vision are common in altitude decompression sickness (DCS). Early diagnosis and hyperbaric oxygen treatment are crucial for successful recovery, preventing long-term deficits.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Risk factors for symptomatic otic and sinus barotrauma in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber.

Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc·2000
Same author

Adjunctive treatment of compartment syndrome with hyperbaric oxygen.

Military medicine·1998
Same author

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Missouri medicine·1994
Same author

Health-risk behaviors of Army aircrew.

Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association·1992
Same author

A comparison of flight and non-flight sick call visits to a U.S. Army aviation medicine clinic.

Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·1991
Same author

An analysis of noise-induced hearing loss in Army helicopter pilots.

Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·1988

Area of Science:

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Visual changes are frequently observed in Type II altitude-related decompression sickness (DCS).
  • Specific visual symptoms associated with neurologic DCS require detailed description for improved clinical recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the visual symptomatology in neurologic DCS.
  • To identify common visual manifestations and their frequency in DCS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 38 neurologic DCS cases with visual changes.
  • Analysis of patient records including exposure, symptoms, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Most cases (87%) originated from altitude chamber exposure.
  • Blurred vision was the most frequent initial visual symptom (24% of cases).
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy achieved a 97% success rate in resolving symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding visual changes in neurologic DCS aids early diagnosis.
  • Prompt treatment can mitigate severe secondary effects and residual deficits.

Related Experiment Videos