Can I fly after retinal detachment surgery?
If you have had surgery to repair your retina, you should only travel by plane when your doctor tells you that there is no danger in doing so. To repair a retinal detachment or tear, it is common for the ophthalmologist to inject a gas bubble to keep the retina in place while it heals. A gas bubble in the eye can expand dangerously if the patient travels by plane, goes diving or undergoes any other situation of a high change in environmental pressure. If the gas expands inside the eye, it could cause serious damage, including total loss of vision. You should remain at a height above sea level similar to the place where you had surgery until the doctor confirms that the gas bubble has disappeared. Unlike the gas bubble, there are usually no restrictions on air travel when it comes to a silicone oil bubble.
Can I take a plane trip after cataract surgery?
Normal cataract surgery would probably not be a problem to travel by plane, even immediately after. When your doctor tells you that you can resume your normal life, you can travel by plane without inconvenience. The only thing is that you do not neglect your postoperative control appointments.
What happens if you travel by plane after cataract surgery in which there have been complications?
Although cataract surgery has been more difficult or has had complications, air travel should not be a problem, unless an air bubble has been injected into the eye as part of the surgery.
When can I travel by plane after glaucoma surgery?
Whether it's a peripheral iridotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, shunt implantation, or other glaucoma surgeries, the pressure change from air travel does not pose a problem after glaucoma surgery. I could travel the next day. However, consult with your doctor to authorize the trip in your specific case, and do not stop attending your check-ups as often as necessary after the surgery.
Can I travel by plane after a cornea transplant?
In some cases an air or gas bubble is used in the eye, as part of corneal transplant surgery. If you have an air or gas bubble in your eye, taking a plane trip can be extremely dangerous. Ask your ophthalmologist about traveling by plane if you have had a cornea transplant.
Is it possible to travel by plane if there is a diagnosis of holes or retinal folds?
Traveling by plane will not worsen the holes or folds of the retina. However, sometimes retinal holes become a retinal detachment, which constitutes an ophthalmological emergency. If you have retinal holes or folds, ask your doctor about prolonged travel plans or exotic locations so you do not risk having an emergency without having emergency medical care at a nearby location.
What if I had surgery for retinal tears? In that case, can I travel?
In most of these cases, retinal repair surgery is performed with laser. Nothing happens if you travel by plane after laser retinal surgery. However, retinal tears can become retinal detachments - and retinal detachment repair usually requires an injection of gas or fluid into the eye. That would be a serious problem if I made a plane trip.
Can I travel after another type of eye surgery?
It is safe to travel after most surgeries performed on the outside of the eye or on the eyelids, such as pterygium surgery (in which a benign fleshy proliferation of the external part of the eye is removed) or surgery eyebrow lift The most important thing to keep in mind when traveling by plane after any surgery of the outside of the eye are the following:
Be sure to keep scheduled control appointments;
Keep the eye clean; Y
Keep the eye and the surgical wound moisturized to protect them from drying out during the flight.
Can I travel by plane after my pupils have been dilated for an ophthalmologic exam?
Yes, you can travel by plane if your pupils have been dilated. However, don't forget your sunglasses as you will be sensitive to light.
Is it safe to fly if I have keratitis?
There is no risk in taking an airplane trip if you have keratitis. However, the air inside the plane can be very dry and can make keratitis symptoms worse. Prepare to keep your eyes moist by using artificial tears or other relief methods that work for you.
Can you make a plane trip when you have a vitreous detachment?
Yes, you can have a posterior vitreous detachment (when the gelatinous fluid inside the eye peels off and pulls from the back of the eye). There is no reason why air travel can make posterior vitreous detachment worse. However, DPV can lead to a retinal detachment. Talk to your doctor about your posterior vitreous detachment and what might happen next. You would not want to have a medical emergency in the event of a posterior vitreous detachment that turns into a retinal detachment and requires immediate medical attention.
