Decompression sickness presenting as optic neuropathy
Butler, F.K.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 62(4): 346-350
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-6562 PMID: 2031639 Document Number: 376640
Decompression sickness (DCS) is a systemic disorder caused by an abrupt decrease in the ambient atmospheric pressure to which an individual is exposed. A previously healthy 23-year-old male parachutist developed optic neuropathy after a series of multiple repeated hypobaric exposures; his symptoms improved promptly with recompression and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We believe this to be the first reported case of DCS presenting as optic neuropathy.