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Is Flying Advisable When Having Gas Bubble In Eye Post Surgery?

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Posted on Thu, 8 Sep 2016
Question: I had a retina detachment two months ago. I had surgery which included a gas bubble. The gas bubble is much smaller now, but I can still see it in the lower part of my vision. I am scheduled to fly in ten days. What if the bubble has not totally gone away?
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bubble should stay.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
This bubble has a lot of therapeutic significance.It is meant to stay to put pressure on retina till it really attachesIt is unlikely to be changed by flying and it will be further reduced in 10days time as the gas is absorbed in the eye.Do not worry if a. it remains.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (37 minutes later)
I could not fly or travel by car in high elevations for a month after the surgery because of the possibility of the bubble expanding and causing damage.

At my follow up appointment one month after surgery I was told that I could not fly for another month because the bubble would not be absorbed until then. Since it has not been completely absorbed yet I just want to make sure it won't expand and do damage when I fly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Bubble is helpful

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to me
By the time you are ready to fly, even if a small amount of gas is unabsorbed and we presume that it expands slightly, that is again helpful.Look at the reason why gas is injected in the eye to give a temponad,that means a pressure to press back retina to reattach completely.
Of course the doctor examining you can see the amount of gas absorbed and can quatify it accurately,but as a rule XXXXXXX small amount remaining will not cause any harm.Only factor being the final quantity of gas remaining at the time of flying.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. N K Mishra

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :1977

Answered : 1297 Questions

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Is Flying Advisable When Having Gas Bubble In Eye Post Surgery?

Brief Answer: Bubble should stay. Detailed Answer: My dear, Thanks for sending your query to us. This bubble has a lot of therapeutic significance.It is meant to stay to put pressure on retina till it really attachesIt is unlikely to be changed by flying and it will be further reduced in 10days time as the gas is absorbed in the eye.Do not worry if a. it remains.