Resolution of Vitreomacular Traction Following a Commercial Flight Simulator Experience.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the effect of rotational forces on the vitreoretinal interface in a case of vitreomacular traction. Methods: Retrospective, observational case report. Results: A 66-year-old woman presented with symptomatic vitreomacular traction with reduced visual acuity to 20/60. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) indicated left eye vitreomacular traction. After discussion of treatment options including vitrectomy, the patient elected to proceed with a commercial flight simulator experience given her concerns regarding the risks of surgery or other invasive procedures. A repeat OCT 3 weeks later showed resolution of vitreomacular traction. Long-term follow-up visual acuity returned to 20/25 in the left eye. Conclusions: A separation of the vitreous from the fovea was observed following a commercial flight simulator experience. The machine's maneuverability and associated 3-dimensional acceleration potential allows force to traverse the vitreous at multiple vectors. It is hypothesized that force vectors perpendicular to the vitreomacular interface contributed to its separation.