O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt)

cedricverdier · 11th January 2006, 08:44

Hi all,

I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater.

Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall.

So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks?
Please don't hesitate to share your experience.

Cheers

***jradomski*** · 11th January 2006, 09:27

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Hi all,

I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater.

Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall.

So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks?
Please don't hesitate to share your experience.

Cheers

I had it several years ago.. Did 3 straight weeks of Rebreather diving with 4 -5 hours a day on average... I used a 1.3 po2 for bottom/deco with the last 6m stop as an oxygen rebreather on every dive.. I noticed "better" vision somewhere around the 14th day.. , symptoms began disappearing about 3 or 4 days after exposure stopped.. took about 2 weeks to be back to 100% poor vision..

This is the only time it has ever happened to me and I have done trips averaging 6 hours a day for 7-10 days without problems..

Drmike · 11th January 2006, 11:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Hi all,

I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater.

Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall.

So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks?
Please don't hesitate to share your experience.

Cheers

Ahh so is this the excuse you are using to explain why you couldnt see that 90m T?

I dont suffer from it but I dive with two guys that do.

Try Fred Evans on this forum or Kevin Denlay.

IIRC Both find the longer the trip the worse it gets and then after they finish diving it returns back to normal after a while.

wizbang · 11th January 2006, 19:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

I had it several years ago.. Did 3 straight weeks of Rebreather diving with 4 -5 hours a day on average... I used a 1.3 po2 for bottom/deco with the last 6m stop as an oxygen rebreather on every dive...

Now you are just skiteing.

Edit: http://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/behaviour.htm
sorry forgot I had an acsent.

JBozanic · 12th January 2006, 03:50

I do not know if Dave Hancock is a member, but he had problems with hyperoxic myopia as well. You can contact him via DiveAlert (he is the owner).

***jradomski*** · 12th January 2006, 04:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by wizbang)

Now you are just skiteing.

Edit: http://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/behaviour.htm
sorry forgot I had an acsent.

My credit card didn't think so...

Fred Evans · 13th January 2006, 04:18

I have been experiencing hyperoxia induced myopia for about the last year which is when I turned 50 (as if that wasn’t bad enough).

I haven’t yet been able to determine what UPTD loading triggers it but it needs to be pretty high.

I have just returned from 7 consecutive days of diving in Komodo with the family (a rare period of reef diving for me) and did not experience the onset of myopia after accumulating 15 hours in-water time at a SP of 1.0 (this was all non deco diving).

On a typical Empress trip I would clock up somewhere between 50 and 60 hours in-water time over 10 days at a SP of 1.2 with final 6m stops at 1.4, and this would result in pronounced Myopia by the end of the trip.

Strangely it is only really noticeable at the end of the trip when we steam in … whether this means that the onset occurs only after this level of exposure; it results from the absence of O2 (coming off the high); or I just don’t have anything distant to focus on the boat, I am not sure (probably the latter).

The impact is pretty extreme and I go from needing glasses for reading to needing them to focusing beyond 8ft. When it first occurs it is quite disturbing. This lasts for 10-14 days before the eyes revert back to normal. I now carry special glasses on these trips so I can read airport signs etc. when returning.

What is rather worrying is that I believe Kevin Denlay is now experiencing some permanent effects of this i.e. his sight is not fully recovering to its pre-existing state following a long dive trip. Mind you Kevin is very old so I probably have many more years of diving before that happens to me. Kevin has been experiencing this for longer than me, as he is very old, so he may have better data on what the trigger point is and what can be done to mitigate the impact.

I am concerned that I may have to start limiting my bottom time on multi day trips requiring deco …. bummer.

Regards, Fred

Drmike · 13th January 2006, 05:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Fred Evans)

I am concerned that I may have to start limiting my bottom time on multi day trips requiring deco …. bummer.

Regards, Fred

Id be more concerned about what 'old' Kevin will do to you once he reads this

**Steve** · 13th January 2006, 07:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

Id be more concerned about what 'old' Kevin will do to you once he reads this

Bah, Fred is safe. The old man has a bugger of a time making his 'puta work let alone being able to read print this small.

cedricverdier · 14th January 2006, 11:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by Fred Evans)

I have been experiencing hyperoxia induced myopia for about the last year which is when I turned 50 (as if that wasn’t bad enough).

I haven’t yet been able to determine what UPTD loading triggers it but it needs to be pretty high.

Regards, Fred

Hi Fred,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Quite interesting

Cheers

11th January 2006, 08:44	#1 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 497	O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Hi all, I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater. Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall. So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks? Please don't hesitate to share your experience. Cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
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11th January 2006, 09:27	#2 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,011	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Hi all, I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater. Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall. So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks? Please don't hesitate to share your experience. Cheers I had it several years ago.. Did 3 straight weeks of Rebreather diving with 4 -5 hours a day on average... I used a 1.3 po2 for bottom/deco with the last 6m stop as an oxygen rebreather on every dive.. I noticed "better" vision somewhere around the 14th day.. , symptoms began disappearing about 3 or 4 days after exposure stopped.. took about 2 weeks to be back to 100% poor vision.. This is the only time it has ever happened to me and I have done trips averaging 6 hours a day for 7-10 days without problems.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated. Last edited by jradomski : 11th January 2006 at 09:29.
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11th January 2006, 11:24	#3 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,325	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Hi all, I'm still looking for first-hand experience of rebreather divers who got any sign or symptom of Oxygen Induced myopia after long repetitive exposure to elevated pO2 underwater. Most of the readings come from the hyperbaric chamber environment (people like Anderson, Palmquist or benhke). The only well documented case of a rebreather diver was Howard Hall. So is there anybody on the forum who actually felt some symptoms of myopia after long rebreather dives, with a progressive recovery within a few days/weeks? Please don't hesitate to share your experience. Cheers Ahh so is this the excuse you are using to explain why you couldnt see that 90m T? I dont suffer from it but I dive with two guys that do. Try Fred Evans on this forum or Kevin Denlay. IIRC Both find the longer the trip the worse it gets and then after they finish diving it returns back to normal after a while. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment Last edited by Drmike : 11th January 2006 at 11:29.
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11th January 2006, 19:48	#4 (permalink)
wizbang WEB MERMEN Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Vision Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth Australia Posts: 386	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) I had it several years ago.. Did 3 straight weeks of Rebreather diving with 4 -5 hours a day on average... I used a 1.3 po2 for bottom/deco with the last 6m stop as an oxygen rebreather on every dive... Now you are just skiteing. Edit: http://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/behaviour.htm sorry forgot I had an acsent. Last edited by wizbang : 11th January 2006 at 21:22.
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12th January 2006, 03:50	#5 (permalink)
JBozanic New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Prism Topaz Optima Other CCR Dolphin Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Prism Topaz MK 15.X Optima Other CCR Dolphin Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 2	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) I do not know if Dave Hancock is a member, but he had problems with hyperoxic myopia as well. You can contact him via DiveAlert (he is the owner).
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12th January 2006, 04:03	#6 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,011	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by wizbang) Now you are just skiteing. Edit: http://www.australianexplorer.com/slang/behaviour.htm sorry forgot I had an acsent. My credit card didn't think so... __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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13th January 2006, 04:18	#7 (permalink)
Fred Evans Old Bull Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indonesia, Jakarta Posts: 51	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) I have been experiencing hyperoxia induced myopia for about the last year which is when I turned 50 (as if that wasn’t bad enough). I haven’t yet been able to determine what UPTD loading triggers it but it needs to be pretty high. I have just returned from 7 consecutive days of diving in Komodo with the family (a rare period of reef diving for me) and did not experience the onset of myopia after accumulating 15 hours in-water time at a SP of 1.0 (this was all non deco diving). On a typical Empress trip I would clock up somewhere between 50 and 60 hours in-water time over 10 days at a SP of 1.2 with final 6m stops at 1.4, and this would result in pronounced Myopia by the end of the trip. Strangely it is only really noticeable at the end of the trip when we steam in … whether this means that the onset occurs only after this level of exposure; it results from the absence of O2 (coming off the high); or I just don’t have anything distant to focus on the boat, I am not sure (probably the latter). The impact is pretty extreme and I go from needing glasses for reading to needing them to focusing beyond 8ft. When it first occurs it is quite disturbing. This lasts for 10-14 days before the eyes revert back to normal. I now carry special glasses on these trips so I can read airport signs etc. when returning. What is rather worrying is that I believe Kevin Denlay is now experiencing some permanent effects of this i.e. his sight is not fully recovering to its pre-existing state following a long dive trip. Mind you Kevin is very old so I probably have many more years of diving before that happens to me. Kevin has been experiencing this for longer than me, as he is very old, so he may have better data on what the trigger point is and what can be done to mitigate the impact. I am concerned that I may have to start limiting my bottom time on multi day trips requiring deco …. bummer. Regards, Fred
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13th January 2006, 05:18	#8 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,325	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by Fred Evans) I am concerned that I may have to start limiting my bottom time on multi day trips requiring deco …. bummer. Regards, Fred Id be more concerned about what 'old' Kevin will do to you once he reads this __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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13th January 2006, 07:28	#9 (permalink)
Steve Ladies bring a plate Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth - Australia Posts: 1,117	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) Id be more concerned about what 'old' Kevin will do to you once he reads this Bah, Fred is safe. The old man has a bugger of a time making his 'puta work let alone being able to read print this small. __________________ WARNING: I contain occasional coarse language, extreme sexual references, nudity, and adult themes, which may offend some people - Usually churchy types.
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14th January 2006, 11:41	#10 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 497	Re: O2 induced myopia (2nd attempt) Quote: (Originally Posted by Fred Evans) I have been experiencing hyperoxia induced myopia for about the last year which is when I turned 50 (as if that wasn’t bad enough). I haven’t yet been able to determine what UPTD loading triggers it but it needs to be pretty high. Regards, Fred Hi Fred, Thanks for sharing your experience. Quite interesting Cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
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