Retinal detachment, is it an issue?

[coaster]

Hi, I read somewhere that drag racers and fighter pilots can have issues with retinal detachment.

Given that racers and pilots rely so much on precision sight;

How much would this issue affect a racing driver at the top level?

Does it cause irreversible problems?

Just out of interest.

[Kiril Varbanov]

There are couple of types, but the worst case scenario is loss of vision.

[Websta]

It's a pain to fix. In some cases the patient will have to lie on their back for 23 hours a day for a week following surgery/intervention to allow the retina to heal. The NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire had a retinal detachment after repeated injuries and that's why he now has to wear safety goggles when he plays.

[Tommy Cookers]

Hi, I read somewhere that drag racers and fighter pilots can have issues with retinal detachment..

about 55 years ago a Dr John Stapp showed using a water-braked rocket sled that retinal datachment began around a steady 43g
he was blind for a while after
this was of interest to emergency arrested landings on land, as landing speeds were expected to become even higher

but steady negative g as in aerobatics starts to damage permanently blood vessels in eyes at 'maybe 10g' ?

[Phillyred]

It's a really big deal depending on the location of the detachment. Once the retina detaches from the macular region (which is responsible for your central vision and thus your highest level of acuity) you are essentially blind and it is permanent. Even if the retina detaches in other areas it can still affect your peripheral vision which obviously can be a big deal for drivers.