NANOSNET

 View Only

  • 1.  Acetazolemide safe when SCUBA diving?

    Posted 09-30-2025 11:54
    Dear All,

    Sorry, forgot to change the subject heading.  Thanks, Deb, for pointing that out and your request for more detail!

    This lady is 29 yo and dx IIH in 2/2025 after optometrist noted disc edema (Grade 1 OD and Grade 2 OS).  She had some TVO OS at that time, but no headache, pulsatile tinnitus, diplopia.  She had some weight gain in the prior year of 55 lbs.  Vision 20/20 OU with full fields.  Unremarkable imaging, and LP with OP 30 and bland CSF.  Started on Diamox 1000 BID with resolution of TVO and improvement in disc edema, but not fully resolved yet.

    Last visit 7/2025 she was having some diarrhea and parasthesias, so I reduced the dose to 500 BID given her otherwise improvement.

    So overall, she is doing well on Diamox, but we are not quite ready to stop it.  Now she wants to SCUBA dive, and I could not find clear guidance on this medication in that activity.  Any advice from this group?

    Thanks,

    Peter.

    Peter MacIntosh, MD | He/him/his

    Maurice F. Rabb Jr. Faculty Scholar

    Associate Professor

    Director Ophthalmology Residency Program

    Director Neuro-Ophthalmology Service

    Director Global Ophthalmology Fellowship

    Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary
    UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

    T: 312.996.9120 | F: 312.413.7895 | pmacint1@uic.edu

     

    A picture containing text, furniture, table Description automatically generated

     

    From: Deborah Friedman via North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society <Mail@ConnectedCommunity.org>
    Date: Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11:44
    To: MacIntosh, Peter William <pmacint1@uic.edu>
    Subject: RE: ALS

    **WARNING** This email originated from outside of the University of Illinois.  **DO NOT CLICK** links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

    The following message has been sent to you in response to your discussion message.

    View inbox and reply to the message online

    Message From: Deborah Friedman

    Hi,


    This should be on a separate thread. I would need more information about the patient's disc edema and visual status to make a statement. 


    Deb







  • 2.  RE: Acetazolemide safe when SCUBA diving?

    Posted 09-30-2025 12:24
    I believe this has been discussed most recently with contributions by senior Neuro-ophthalmologists who are scuba divers and there is no contraindication.
    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
    Scott Forman, MD
    Senior Fellow North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society

    Adult and Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology
    Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    Functional Medicine












    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Acetazolemide safe when SCUBA diving?

    Posted 09-30-2025 16:26
    I don't believe there's a contraindication. As an advanced open-water SCUBA diver myself, there's no significant pH issue induced along as she continues to breathe and is not repeatedly holding her breath. Continuous breathing is SCUBA 101 so if she is new at it, then her instructors will be watching for it. If she's already experienced, then she won't be holding her breath. Otherwise, she should go for it. 

    Wade Crow, M.D.



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Acetazolemide safe when SCUBA diving?

    Posted 10-04-2025 09:30
    Thanks everyone!

    Peter. 



    Original Message


Related Content