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Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2014; 231(4): 390-391
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368250
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Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy after a Long Airplane Flight: Coincidence or Rare Economy Class Syndrome Manifestation?

Ischämische Optikusneuropathie nach langer Flugreise. Zufall oder seltene Economy-Class-Syndrom-Manifestation?
G. D. Panos
1   Department of Ophthalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland (Chairman: Professor Dr. Dr. Farhad Hafezi)
,
L. D. Panos
2   Department of Neurology, Darmstadt Hospital, University of Heidelberg-Mannheim (Chairman: Prof. Dr. med. Rainer Kollmar)
,
F. Hafezi
1   Department of Ophthalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland (Chairman: Professor Dr. Dr. Farhad Hafezi)
,
Z. Gatzioufas
1   Department of Ophthalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland (Chairman: Professor Dr. Dr. Farhad Hafezi)
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
25 April 2014 (online)

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Introduction

Air travel has become very common nowadays. Subsequently, an increase of reports concerning flight-induced medical incidents has occurred. The association between thromboembolic episodes and long distance airplane journeys is well documented [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), known as “economy-class syndrome”, are the most frequently reported conditions [1]. Flight-induced ocular incidents are very uncommon. This report presents a patient, with no previous medical history, who developed ischemic optic neuropathy in his right eye (OD) after a 12-hour-long airplane flight.

 

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