Optic neuropathy following an altitude exposure. | Canada Hyperbarics Skip to main content
Case Study Aviation, space, and environmental medicine 2003

Optic neuropathy following an altitude exposure.

Steigleman A, Butler F, Chhoeu A, O'Malley T, Bower E, Giebner S — Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 2003

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers documented the case of a 20-year-old man who developed optic neuropathy after exposure to a hypobaric chamber.

What They Found

The patient presented with left eye retro-orbital pain and blurred vision, significant deficits in color vision and visual fields, and was diagnosed with optic neuropathy and decompression sickness. Initial symptoms resolved after one hyperbaric oxygen treatment but recurred, leading to a diagnosis of concomitant sinusitis and full resolution after a total of four hyperbaric oxygen treatments and antibiotic therapy at 6-week follow-up.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a case report from the U.S.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a larger patient population.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type Case Study
Category Ocular / Retinal
Source Pubmed
PubMed ID 14503679
Year Published 2003
Journal Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
MeSH Terms Adult; Aerospace Medicine; Altitude; Aviation; Decompression Sickness; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Male; Military Personnel; Occupational Diseases; Optic Nerve Diseases; United States

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology