Anterior ichemic optic neuropathy after a tran-Atlantic airplane journey

PURPOE: To report a cae of anterior ichemic optic neuropathy after a tran-Atlantic airplane journey. DEIGN: An obervational cae report. METHOD: A 48-year-old healthy man preented with evere viual lo in hi left eye within 12 hour after a 15-hour-long tran-Atlantic airplane flight. The patient underwent lit-lamp examination, funducopy, fluorecein angiography, automated perimetry, and variou blood examination. REULT: Viual acuity wa LE: 20/30, and a mild left eye relative afferent pupillary defect wa noted. Funducopic evaluation revealed an edematou optic dik in the left eye with a para-dikal retinal hemorrhage. Fluorecein angiography revealed a leaking optic dik, and perimetry howed an inferior hemi-field cotoma. Anterior ichemic optic neuropathy wa diagnoed. CONCLUION: Prolonged airplane travel may compromie viion either by a thromboembolic mechanim caued by prolonged immobilization or by a vaopam mechanim induced by the low oxygen preure during the flight.