Abstract
Background: Effects of pressure changes especially by long term stay in high altitude area are well known but effect of high atmospheric pressure on ocular tissue is not studied in detail. This study intends to find out the effect of long term exposure to high pressure due to diving on certain parameters of ocular functions Material and Methods: Single centre study performed during 2010–11, for a group of retired naval divers (actively diving) (52 eyes) and a control group of non-divers (retired surface naval personal) (52 eyes). Both groups were matched for age, sex baseline visual status and various parameter related to diving and their detailed ophthalmologic examination was carried out which consisted of testing of visual acuity, IOP, contrast sensitivity, color vision and visual fields. Results: Mean IOP was higher in the diver group (Diver group: 17.04 mm Hg, Control group: 14.81 mm Hg,p > 0.05) and it was statistically significant. There was a high frequency of red-green axis color vision defects (30.7 %) in the diver group. Visual field assessment also showed some difference in both groups but no conclusive pattern could be determined. No significant difference in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were found between the two groups. Conclusions: There is a definite effect of long term diving on ocular tissue and visual functions. Mean IOP was found high in the diving group and color vision defects were also found more commonly in divers group though no significant difference in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity was found between the two groups.
Published Version
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