[CQ-Contest] blurred vision

[James Jarvis]

Acute angle glaucoma.....I was diagnosed with it in my left
eye a couple of years ago, and had it treated.  The right eye
is monitored regularly;  the opthalmologist recommends 
laser surgery, just to avoid the possibility of a problem.

As I understand it, this is a normal condition of aging for 
a significant percentage of the population.  Fluid in the 
eyeball normally leaks out through ducts at the periphery
of the cornea.  Those ducts get pinched in narrow-angle
glaucoma.  This results in pressure building up.  
In turn, this can limit blood flow to the retina..and ultimately
cause blindness.  

W4AN observed that it's made worse under darkened room
conditions, when the pupils dilate.  This is true,
but it doesn't cause the condition, as I understand it. 
The normal aging process results in the eye changing shape, 
which poses the problem.  

The risk is that ocular pressure can build quickly under 
some conditions.....like going to 9,000 feet pressure,
which is normal cabin pressure in a commercial jet plane.
The risk of loss of retinal cells due to lack of blood
flow is serious....blindness can result.

If you're over 40, you should ask about acute angle
glaucoma when you have your eyes regularly checked. 

W2OX, himself an MD Opthalmologist, recommends glasses
for contesting that give you a wide field of view, at
the normal equipment distance.  This will reduce fatigue,
keeping you in the chair longer.     

Jim Jarvis
n2ea