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Many pilots are starting to express a concern over contracting a condition called central serous retinopathy. This visual impairment occurs mainly in people who are under a lot of stress. The body naturally reacts to the stress by producing a hormone to help the body deal with the anxiety. This hormone is called cortisol and without it humans would die. Airline pilots are a susceptible demographic to this condition and tests indicate their cortisol levels are more than fifty percent higher than non pilots.
The retina becomes detached from the muscle that supports it due to a build-up of fluids connected with the high cortisol levels. The vision damage results in a blurred blind spot in the center of the eye. The eye may also have lost a sensitivity to light and objects may also appear farther away or distorted.
Afflicted pilots must be concerned since they risk losing their licenses. Regular eye checkups must be given to monitor the condition. Pilots must constantly cope with poor sleeping habits and jet lag. The conditions are not conducive to stress reduction. They must take the incentive and learn how to do this themselves. Since this is a job hazard the question that arises is whether or not they receive any compensation for vision loss.
Data also reveals that the condition will re-occur and each time that happens their vision will deteriorate. If the condition continues for a long stretch of time the retina will no longer receive the nourishment from the muscle and the vision will be permanently damaged.
The pilots in the Israeli Air Force were tested to determine if CSR was apparent. The conclusion indicated that it occurs on a regular basis. Recurrent attacks were dependent on how badly their vision was affected the first time.
An Australian pilot who flew commercial transport planes suffered significant loss of vision in his right eye. He was eventually permitted to fly on a conditional license since the left eye remained unaffected. Pilots all over the world are vulnerable to this affliction.
Online pilot forums indicate conversations between concerned pilots about their vision. Some have been given restricted licenses and others dare not report any visual problems until it is time to have their eyes examined.Typically they are given the Humphrey Visual Fields and the Flurascein angiogram.
CSR cannot be clinically treated. Very limited laser procedures have been done in certain cases but there is no proof that these will stop further degeneration of vision or recurrence of attacks. Relaxation is the key to treating this affliction but many pilots are type A personalities and find it difficult to be still long enough to practice relaxing. They need to examine their core values and rebuild from there.
Central serous retinopathy must not be ignored. It can develop into a more serious condition. Learning stress management at aviation school should be considered as a necessary field of study. Pilots might find that relaxing exercises such as yoga will help to curtail further recurrences of this affliction. Once they have the first warning they need to take heed and work at improving their ability to handle stress better.
The retina becomes detached from the muscle that supports it due to a build-up of fluids connected with the high cortisol levels. The vision damage results in a blurred blind spot in the center of the eye. The eye may also have lost a sensitivity to light and objects may also appear farther away or distorted.
Afflicted pilots must be concerned since they risk losing their licenses. Regular eye checkups must be given to monitor the condition. Pilots must constantly cope with poor sleeping habits and jet lag. The conditions are not conducive to stress reduction. They must take the incentive and learn how to do this themselves. Since this is a job hazard the question that arises is whether or not they receive any compensation for vision loss.
Data also reveals that the condition will re-occur and each time that happens their vision will deteriorate. If the condition continues for a long stretch of time the retina will no longer receive the nourishment from the muscle and the vision will be permanently damaged.
The pilots in the Israeli Air Force were tested to determine if CSR was apparent. The conclusion indicated that it occurs on a regular basis. Recurrent attacks were dependent on how badly their vision was affected the first time.
An Australian pilot who flew commercial transport planes suffered significant loss of vision in his right eye. He was eventually permitted to fly on a conditional license since the left eye remained unaffected. Pilots all over the world are vulnerable to this affliction.
Online pilot forums indicate conversations between concerned pilots about their vision. Some have been given restricted licenses and others dare not report any visual problems until it is time to have their eyes examined.Typically they are given the Humphrey Visual Fields and the Flurascein angiogram.
CSR cannot be clinically treated. Very limited laser procedures have been done in certain cases but there is no proof that these will stop further degeneration of vision or recurrence of attacks. Relaxation is the key to treating this affliction but many pilots are type A personalities and find it difficult to be still long enough to practice relaxing. They need to examine their core values and rebuild from there.
Central serous retinopathy must not be ignored. It can develop into a more serious condition. Learning stress management at aviation school should be considered as a necessary field of study. Pilots might find that relaxing exercises such as yoga will help to curtail further recurrences of this affliction. Once they have the first warning they need to take heed and work at improving their ability to handle stress better.
About the Author:
CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY is a impairment which affects airline pilots at a significant level. CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY and Stress are associated because of the increased levels of cortisol in the eye, causing vision deterioration.
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