Can you fly if you have a torn retina?

Following retinal detachment surgery, it is important that flying is completely avoided until your eye has fully healed. This is usually for 3 to 4 weeks after surgery but possibly longer after some retinal detachment surgeries. Sometimes during surgery, a gas bubble is used to help keep the retina in place.

What happens if you fly with a detached retina?

Your eye doctor has to inject a gas bubble to hold the retina in place during the procedure of repairing retinal detachment. The gas bubble in the eye can expand dangerously if the patient flies, goes scuba diving or undergoes any other major air pressure change. This can cause serious damage and even blindness.

What can worsen a retinal tear?

Retinal tear risk factors

• A high degree of nearsightedness — because myopic retinas tend to be very thin.
• Lattice degeneration – areas of retinal thinning along its outer edges.
• Family history of retinal detachment.
• Trauma.
• Participation in contact sports with a high risk of head injury (especially boxing)

What happens if you leave a retinal tear?

Retinal detachment separates the retinal cells from the layer of blood vessels that provides oxygen and nourishment. The longer retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater your risk of permanent vision loss in the affected eye.

How long is recovery from retinal detachment?

You will need 2 to 4 weeks to recover before returning to your normal activities. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How long does it take to recover from a retinal tear?

How long can you wait to repair a detached retina?

If the macula detaches, it is too late to restore normal vision. Surgery can still be done to prevent total blindness. In these cases, eye doctors can wait a week to 10 days to schedule surgery.

What is the difference between a retinal tear and a retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment refers to the full lack of attachment of the retinal tissue along the back of the eye. This is more severe than retinal tears. The longer that a detached retina remains detached, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.

What happens if you don’t fix a detached retina?

If the retinal detachment isn’t treated right away, more of the retina can detach — which increases the risk of permanent vision loss or blindness.

Can a retina tear heal itself?

Can a retinal tear heal on its own? There are some retinal tears that are superficial enough that they do not require treatment. These tears can essentially reattach without posing risks to your health and vision.