A condition that is prevalent among airline pilots is called central serous retinopathy. This is a visual impairment that occurs predominantly in people who experience a lot of stress. The stress triggers the adrenal cortex to produce the hormone cortisol which helps the body to deal with the stress. Without cortisol the stress would kill us. People who have CSR have cortisol levels that are 50-80% higher than what the average person would have.
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.
Pilots must be concerned about this condition affecting their vision. Limited vision means losing their license. One assumes they are getting regular yearly check ups and making lifestyle changes to develop better sources of relaxation. Prone to jet lag, less sleep and increased tranquilizer use than most people the pilot's life is not so romantic. Whether or not they are compensated for their visual impairment is a good question to ponder.
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.
Israeli Air Force pilots were tested to ascertain if they were afflicted with CSR. The data indicated that this occurred on a regular basis and further attacks depended on how critically the first attack was.
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.
Visiting the pilot forums online recent conversations between pilots in the US also confirms their concern of not passing the annual eye examinations. They are given the Flurascein angiogram and the Humphrey Visual Fields.
CSR has been treated by laser but in very limited cases. The nature of the affliction is difficult for the laser to treat. The best cure is preventative so learning at the outset how to relax and keep the cortisol levels low should be a priority. The type A personality in particular needs to learn how to relax and not allow their natural tendency to over-achieve keep them in a constant state of anxiety.
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.
Pilots must be concerned about this condition affecting their vision. Limited vision means losing their license. One assumes they are getting regular yearly check ups and making lifestyle changes to develop better sources of relaxation. Prone to jet lag, less sleep and increased tranquilizer use than most people the pilot's life is not so romantic. Whether or not they are compensated for their visual impairment is a good question to ponder.
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.
Israeli Air Force pilots were tested to ascertain if they were afflicted with CSR. The data indicated that this occurred on a regular basis and further attacks depended on how critically the first attack was.
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.
Visiting the pilot forums online recent conversations between pilots in the US also confirms their concern of not passing the annual eye examinations. They are given the Flurascein angiogram and the Humphrey Visual Fields.
CSR has been treated by laser but in very limited cases. The nature of the affliction is difficult for the laser to treat. The best cure is preventative so learning at the outset how to relax and keep the cortisol levels low should be a priority. The type A personality in particular needs to learn how to relax and not allow their natural tendency to over-achieve keep them in a constant state of anxiety.
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 condition which applies to airline pilots at a high level level. CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY and Stress are associated because of the increased levels of cortisol in the eye, causing vision deterioration.