Central Serous Retinopathy Inevitably Influences Airline Pilots http://bit.ly/ruUDf2

Many pilots are starting to express a concern over contracting a condition called central serous retinopathy. This visual impairment occurs mainly in people who are under a lot of stress. The body naturally reacts to the stress by producing a hormone to help the body deal with the anxiety. This hormone is called cortisol and without it humans would die. Airline pilots are a susceptible demographic to this condition and tests indicate their cortisol levels are more than fifty percent higher than non pilots.

Basically the increased fluids build up under the retina detaching it from the supporting muscle. This affects the vision resulting in an out of focus blind spot in the middle of the eye. Other symptoms might be loss of light sensitivity and distorted distant objects.

This must be traumatizing for the pilots. Without good vision they cannot do their job. This brings up questions about regular eye checkups and what they do to relax. Airline pilots are victims of jet lag, lack of sleep and increased tranquilizer use. One wonders how a pilot is able to reduce their stress knowing that they could lose their jobs. It is also interesting to consider if the pilots are compensated for their on the job work hazard.

The inevitability of the symptoms returning are probable. With that more visual deterioration is inevitable. If the condition persists the retina will be devoid of nutrition from the muscle and permanent damage will be the result.

A study done in Israel to collect data on CSR and Israeli Air Force pilots found that CSR is a common condition in their pilots. The extent to which their vision is affected on the first attack will determine the likelihood of recurrent attacks.

A case reported in Australia of a commercial transport pilot having lost vision in his right eye eventually left him with permanent damage in that eye. He had his license to fly removed but was eventually allowed to fly on a conditional license since the left eye was untouched.

Pilot forums online indicate concern about not passing eye examinations. Tests are administered every year and pilots are trying to find ways to not lose their licenses. The conversations suggest that this is an ongoing concern and they are trying to find answers from doctors and pilots in the field of aviation.

There is no clinical treatment for CSR. Some attempts at providing laser treatment have been tried but the general recommendation is for the afflicted individual to find ways to relax. If the individual is also a type A personality who is competitive and achievement-oriented they have an added challenge to find ways to relax.

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.


CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY is a impairment that affects airline pilots at a high level level. CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY and Stress are linked due to the increased levels of cortisol in the eye, causing vision loss.