Ocular problems in extreme sports: High-altitude trekking and surfing

Abstract

The prevalence of severe ocular problems due to extreme sports is empirically rare. Nevertheless, since normal visual acuity can be crucial in extreme situations, the knowledge of etiology and prevention of ocular problems in extreme sports is a helpful asset to the athlete. Ocular pathologies under these circumstances are mainly caused by three different pathogenic mechanisms, which can induce both acute and chronic damage to the eye: •Hypoxia •Irradiation •TraumaThe authors have chosen two representative types of sports to examine, namely, high-altitude trekking and surfing, during which the above-mentioned pathogenic mechanisms can occur.