Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after a trans-Atlantic airplane journey.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after a trans-Atlantic airplane journey.


METHODS
An observational case report.


METHODS
A 48-year-old healthy man presented with severe visual loss in his left eye within 12 hours after a 15-hour-long trans-Atlantic airplane flight. The patient underwent slit-lamp examination, funduscopy, fluorescein angiography, automated perimetry, and various blood examinations.


RESULTS
Visual acuity was LE: 20/30, and a mild left eye relative afferent pupillary defect was noted. Funduscopic evaluation revealed an edematous optic disk in the left eye with a para-diskal retinal hemorrhage. Fluorescein angiography revealed a leaking optic disk, and perimetry showed an inferior hemi-field scotoma. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy was diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged airplane travel may compromise vision either by a thromboembolic mechanism caused by prolonged immobilization or by a vasospasm mechanism induced by the low oxygen pressure during the flight.
Kaiserman
Igor
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. igork@cc.huji.ac.il
Frucht-Pery
Joseph
J
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011681:Pupil Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests