4. Blind spots in your field of vision

5. Pain around the eye

6. Nystagmus (abnormal eye movements)

The presence of any of these symptoms following a dive (except as noted in the next question) should be evaluated as soon as possible by a physician knowledgeable about diving injuries, or the diver should call DAN.

7. I just came up from a dive and noticed that my vision is now blurry. What conditions could cause this symptom?

Possible causes of blurred vision after diving include:
1. Contact lenses which become tightly adherent to the eye during a dive. Try using lubricant eye drops to relieve this.
2. Displaced contact lens.
3. Corneal irritation from mask anti-fog solutions.
4. Ultraviolet or "sunburn" damage to the cornea.
5. Corneal irritation resulting from bubbles under hard or rigid gas-permeable contact lenses.
6. Use of transdermal scopolamine to prevent motion sickness.
7. Decompression sickness
8. Arterial gas embolism

If you are a contact lens wearer, I would first ensure that the lens is still in place and then instill some lubricant eye drops. If this is successful in restoring your vision to normal, then it is not necessary to seek medical attention. If you are not a contact lens wearer or these actions are unsuccessful, then you should have your symptoms evaluated by a physician knowledgeable about diving injuries. For a list of dive physicians in your area, call DAN.

8. I just came up from a dive and one of my eyes has a bright red spot on it. What could cause this? Do I need to see an eye doctor?

The most common cause of a red spot on the eye after a dive is a subconjunctival hemorrhage. This is a collection of blood over the sclera (white part) of the eye. It is usually caused by a mild facemask squeeze and does not require any treatment. A more severe squeeze could result in other injuries to the eye, however, so it is a good idea to see your eye doctor just in case. It is absolutely essential to see your eye doctor if you have eye pain, double vision, blind spots in your field of vision, or decreased vision after a dive or if you have a history of eye surgery in the past. (See related article, "Mask Squeeze," DAN's Medical Line, July/August 1997.)

 

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