스쿠버 잠수활동과 안압, 시신경 및 시야의 변화

The Changes of Intraocular Pressure, Optic Nerve and Visual Field in SCUBA Diving

Purpose: To examine how SCUBA diving activities in high-pressure underwater environment affect their intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the shape of optic disc. Methods: We performed visual acuity and refractory test, IOP test, VF test, RNFL photography, optical coherent tomography, and 3D optic disc photography for a group of 32 people and a control group of 32 non-divers, and analyzed the differences between the two groups. For the diver group, we conducted a questionnaire survey on the patterns of diving and diving experience, and analyzed their correlation with results of test. Results: Compared to the Control, the diver group showed significant difference in the mean IOP (diver group: 15.71 ± 2.54 mmHg, control group: 14.23 ± 2.15 mmHg, p = 0.019), and abnormal visual field (diver group: 7 eyes (11.3%), control group: 0 eye (0%), p = 0.006). 85.7% of abnormal visual field belonged to early defect. The diver group did not showed significant difference in the shape of optic disc (p = 0.546), but the optic nerve atrophy in shape of optic disc test field (diver group: 8 eyes (12.9%), control group: 2 eyes (3.1%), p=0.042) was significantly different. Conclusions: Divers who did SCUBA diving activities need to have a glaucoma test regularly. Additional research and large cross or longitudinal study are needed to evaluate causes that scuba diving activities affect. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2010;51(12):1598-1605