Glaucoma and airplane flights

[PBX142]

I'm planning a holiday with my partner but am increasingly nervous about the prospect of spending four hours each way in an airplane at a time when I don't believe my eye pressures are being adequately controlled. Surely the pressure in the cabin affects eye pressure? Any thoughts or experiences please? Thank you.

[muddledme]

Hello PBX142,

On Google there are quite a few references to glaucoma and air travel which generally seem to say that it should not be a problem if your glaucoma is being well treated. Glaucoma UK also has an article on Glaucoma and air travel on line.

It is suggested that you check with your consultant if you feel unsure.Often the medical secretary will take a message for you.

The cabin pressure may cause your eyes to dry more than usual, and of course they suggest keeping all eye medication in your hand luggage.

I find the small Frio cool wallets excellent to hold eye drops , they are a nice bright colour and available from Glaucoma UK and Amazon.

Do hope you enjoy your holiday.

Best wishes

[PBX142 in reply to muddledme]

Thank you, that is reassuring and I will check out Frio cool wallets on Amazon!

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. Controlled air pressure inside the airplane’s cabin makes up for most of the natural drop in pressure when the plane reaches higher altitudes. A moderate decrease in atmospheric pressure will not cause an obvious rise in eye pressure.

It is always advisable, as previously mentioned, to put your glaucoma drops in your hand-luggage when travelling. The air inside a plane can be dry. If you have ocular surface disease (dry eyes), or are on a long-haul flight, you may need to put drops in while in the air.

[Nala2509]

hello

I spoke to my consultant yesterday as I am going on an 8 hour flight this weekend and he assured me there is nothing to worry about. He also told me to adjust the timings of taking my drops to fit in with the different time zone I will be on.

He was extremely relaxed about it and told me not to stress and enjoy my holiday.

I hope that helps.

[PBX142 in reply to Nala2509]

Thank you Nala, that does help. I will stop stressing now...!

[LyndseyMoo]

I'd definitely recommend taking dry eye drops with you, I used them quite a bit during my flights in December, would've suffered without them!

[Sufitzy]

the hosp is really clear when folk cannot fly for any reason so do have trust in them. I have done an umber of long flights since diagnosis and not had any problem other than dry eye. They have always allowed my drops in hand luggage though I recommend a FRIO gel pack for use when travelling. Sx

[PearlCarr]

Hi I’ve recently been diagnosed with advanced glaucoma in both eyes and have planned a 4 hour flight to Lanzarote. Sought advice from ophthalmology dept and was told it was ok to fly. Don’t know your condition but hope this helps.

[PBX142 in reply to PearlCarr]

Thanks Pearl and maybe see you on the plane - that's where we're going!

[Hpc65]

I’m a long haul pilot, flying up to 15 hours at a time and my consultant is very relaxed about it. In fact we seem to spend more time talking about travel than about my eyes!

[PBX142 in reply to Hpc65]

Wow! That is VERY reassuring...presumably you are doing OK!

[Hpc65 in reply to PBX142]

Yes - my passengers are very relieved! Seriously though, I thought a glaucoma diagnosis was career ending, but I have continued for ten years since my diagnosis so far, with the only minor hiccough being a Preserflo microshunt op in one eye - but even that was carried out in an abundance of caution almost as a preventative measure.

[PBX142 in reply to Hpc65]

Brilliant!! Long may it continue

[Derfahrer]

I'll offer a bit of a different opinion here. When doctors answer questions like this, in many cases I think they don't really know. They are just going off intuition because not a lot has been researched on things like this. For example, I've had multiple doctors tell me it's ok to do yoga, just don't do headstands. But pretty much any pose with head below heart will raise my IOP (as measured with an Icare Home). That actually has been written about in various places. I still do yoga, but am careful not to hold poses like that for more than a breath or 2.

Or intense aerobic exercise, which is generally thought to be ok, but is an issue for me several hours later. My doctors had told me not to worry about it. But really, they don't have any direct experience (other than for people with pigmentary glaucoma)

Regarding flying, I have measured my IOP on 8 hour flights between the US and Europe, and it raises my IOP by 2-3mmHg compared to what is usual for that time of day. Whether that is due to cabin pressure, or due to just general travel stress, I don't know. So while it does go up, it's not enough to be worrisome.

[PBX142 in reply to Derfahrer]

I think you're right...that's what this forum is for, because many of us have had the experience while the specialists have not. And face it, these days the NHS consultants are rushed off their feet so don't always tell us what we should know in going about our lives - and as you say, they can't know all the answers. Interesting and impressive that you know your IOPs from one hour to the next...! And I would imagine that the IOP in a long haul would be affected a little. Many thanks.

[Gooh]

My wife has Glaucoma and we were informed by her consultant that it’s no problem, we travelled last August and no problem to Corfu and are off again Sept this year, hopefully you will go relax and enjoy

[Anonoms]

Your biggest problem will be finding health i surance that understands glaucoma. Mine keeps asking when partner will be discharged

[PBX142 in reply to Anonoms]

Thanks for the tip!! Hope you get it sorted

[Nikul]

not so relevant as I had my eyes zapped to release the pressure aprox 3 yrs ago as didn’t want to take medication. They, eyes, have been stable but creeping up a bit, but I have been on several long haul flights uk to kenya and Singapore. No probs just kept dry eyes drops handy and hydrated with liquids as much as poss enroute. Plan to be off as soon as poss,cept now waiting for broken humerus to heal!

For me to travel on holidays and visit overseas family feels more challenging as time passes, so go while you can, manage your medication, try to relax and Enjoy!

[HMThai]

Good morning from Thailand....as you have already been reassured there is nothing to worry about.... just enjoy your travels!......I have flown from Thailand to Greece /return with multiple flight connections for many years!..... yes they do get dry...... take the eye drops in a cool bag on board....I remember declaring them as they show up in the luggage scanner/screening!