What Researchers Did
Researchers presented two case reports of young coral fishers who developed progressive nearsightedness and nuclear cataracts.
What They Found
The two patients experienced progressive nearsightedness (myopisation) and nuclear cataracts. The study notes that index myopia and nuclear cataracts are common eye changes linked to increased oxygen pressure, which can occur during diving.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers, both recreational and professional, should be aware of potential long-term eye changes like nearsightedness and cataracts due to repeated exposure to high oxygen pressure. Regular eye check-ups are important for divers to monitor for these conditions and discuss any visual changes with their healthcare provider.
Canadian Relevance
While this study was not conducted in Canada, it discusses ocular alterations in divers, a group that includes many Canadians. The abstract mentions decompression syndrome, a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as a risk for divers.
Study Limitations
This study is limited as it only presents two case reports, which may not represent the broader diving population.