KC and Flying

General forum for the UK Keratoconus and self-help group members.

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kent
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KC and Flying

Postby kent » Sun 02 Mar 2008 8:14 pm

So I have KC and have learnt to live with it. My case is not so serious and I make do with specs. Now I've flown many times but I was only recently diagnosed with KC and haven't flown since I was diagnosed. In about a week I shall be going on holiday and have a 3 hour flight. I was just wondering if there's any need to worry about flying effecting my eyesight, or damaging my eyes further. I'm thinking about the pressure changes in particular. Is this something to worry about or not really an issue?

Sorry if this has been asked before and thanks so much for any advice or help

Ken

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rosemary johnson
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby rosemary johnson » Sun 02 Mar 2008 8:43 pm

Hi Kent!
I presume you mean, flying as a passenger in a commercial airliner service? - in a fairly large pressurised aircraft That is, as distinct from a small unpressurised air taxi or private plane.
I've flown many times on commercial scheduled flights, and don't think it's done anything to make my KC worse.
Long flights in the very dry atmospheres typical on aircraft can cause a few problems by drying up contact lenses, and the new regulations about taking fluids on aircraft, not to mention the scissors or similar to break into the contact lens fluids, are a nightmare.
If you are wearing glasses not contacts, that shouldn't be a problem.
If you have problems with less than perfect eyesight and reading the signs to find your way around airports, do contact the airline you're flying with, let them know this and ask for assistance - like someone to meet you and escort you through the security, passport etc checks and get you onto the plane/off the plane and out to the taxi/bus/train to where you're going. SOme of them are better than others, I admit; the good ones are great.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Rosemary

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Andrew MacLean
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby Andrew MacLean » Mon 03 Mar 2008 7:42 am

Kent

Welcome to the forum!

I regularly flew in commercial airliners, and usually took my lenses out before the flight.

I also went skydiving and kept my lenses in for jumping, although I wore goggles so that if my lens popped out in mid-air, I should not have to chase them.

I guess that people with keratoconus must log up thousands of air-hours between us. You do raise an interesting question, and maybe some ambitious young student will undertake some research into the effects of pressure variations in flight on the development keratoconus :shock:

All the best

Andrew
Andrew MacLean

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melissa
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby melissa » Mon 03 Mar 2008 9:52 am

Flying in Commercial Airliner- the dry air is the only problem i have had. i always take a clean case with solution (or 2- because i used to wear piggybacks) and lots of individual capsules of artificial tears. then i just struggle through. the longest flight is have done was 13 hours, but I have done the 11 hours to London many times. i do take the hard lens out to sleep, but usually leave the soft ones in. less hassle.

Flying in small Light aircraft- this is not such a problem with dry air, but there tends to be more air movement around the cabin. sunglasses are definately required for this.
interestingly- i wanted to try to get my Private Pilots License, but I failed the medical because my uncorrected vision was not good enough- they say that if a lens- or both falls out, i would be in trouble- which is of course true... maybe now that i have had a transplant in one eye that situation may be different? my confidence is gone a bit though?

kent
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Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby kent » Mon 03 Mar 2008 12:27 pm

Thanks guys and girls. You really put my mind at rest.

Thanks so much

Ken

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ChrisK
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby ChrisK » Wed 05 Mar 2008 5:37 pm

Andrew MacLean wrote:Kent

Welcome to the forum!

I regularly flew in commercial airliners, and usually took my lenses out before the flight.

I also went skydiving and kept my lenses in for jumping, although I wore goggles so that if my lens popped out in mid-air, I should not have to chase them.

I guess that people with keratoconus must log up thousands of air-hours between us. You do raise an interesting question, and maybe some ambitious young student will undertake some research into the effects of pressure variations in flight on the development keratoconus :shock:

All the best

Andrew


I'll happily volunteer myself as a guinea pig.

All I need now is the funding and I'm ready to fly all over the world in the name of research. :lol:

cmhebert
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby cmhebert » Sun 03 Apr 2011 3:25 am

Have you ever gone skydiving with a corneal transplant?
Colette

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Andrew MacLean
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Re: KC and Flying

Postby Andrew MacLean » Sun 03 Apr 2011 8:07 am

Colette

Welcome to the forum.

No, I had become too old for skydiving by the time I had my first graft. If I had still been enjoying the sport at that time, I should certainly have asked my surgeon if he thought it was a viable mix: skydiving with a corneal graft.
:D

Andrew
Andrew MacLean


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