Anyone have retina detachment while on RCL cruise?

[chiguypaul]

Has anyone been on a Caribbean cruise and had a retina detachment? Was interested in hearing any experiences with how people addressed (e.g. helicopter evac). Thanks.

[stevea36]

Has anyone been on a Caribbean cruise and had a retina detachment? Was interested in hearing any experiences with how people addressed (e.g. helicopter evac). Thanks.

 

Seems like a very strange question, but I will share the following:

 

My DW and I were on a celebrity cruise over thanksgiving 2014 when, all of a sudden, she started seeing flashes and floaters. As this was late at night we waited until the next morning (sea day) to see the ship's Dr. He took a look at it and said that he did not have the equipment to correctly evaluate the problem and would arrange for her to see a specialist the next day in San Juan. Well, as will happen, we were late getting into San Juan due to weather and 1/2 of the city was blacked out, so she could not see a Dr. that day. He then arranged for her to see a specialist the next day in St Thomas.

 

When we arrived in St Thomas they whisked us off the ship into a waiting cab who took us to the Dr's office. He was a retina specialist who was fully educated and trained at top schools in the northeast. He did a thorough exam (even more thorough than her usual specialist in NJ), took pictures, etc., and said that there seems to be nothing new happening in the eye and, if there was, he would do whatever he could to repair it.

 

She got on the phone and made an appointment with her home specialist for the day after our return and, fortunately, all was good, no further treatment was needed.

 

Now, this does not address retinal detachment as that is much more serious, but it may give you an idea as to how the cruise line may handle an eye issue.

 

Airlifting may not be good for a detached retina as changes in air pressure are definitely not good for this type of injury.

 

Steve

[spookwife]

No one plans for such a thing. If any one is at severe risk, one would assume they were smart and canceled their cruise in the first place. One also assumes they had comprehensive insurance that would cover any catastrophic care required even if they were a remote risk.

 

 

 

 

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[ONECRUISER]

No one plans for such a thing. If any one is at severe risk, one would assume they were smart and canceled their cruise in the first place. One also assumes they had comprehensive insurance that would cover any catastrophic care required even if they were a remote risk.

 

 

 

 

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Well said. After my first major accident, was down for months, I started carrying disability insurance. Car that hit me only carried $40K, I was carrying $50000/100000. I had 4 kids in car with me and fortunately I was only one hurt. 18 yrs ltr I drive with my grand kids in my car and I now carry $500,000/$500,000 auto. I travel with my kids sometimes, but mostly by myself. As getting older at some point higher risk things going wrong and at some point probably won't want to travel alone. When I turned 50 few yrs ago, 3 times that yr went to Dr for different pains/ailments. After the exam Dr turned to me and said, "Well you did just turn 50"

[jcross2]

Actually, ponch, retinal detachment is a very serious problem, and many people are at risk for this, especially older folks and those who have had cataract surgery.

 

Prompt treatment is essential. It is not "weird " for someone to ask if specialists are readily available and accessible at Caribbean ports.

 

Paul, thanks for asking the question, and Steve, thanks for your helpful response.

[stevea36]

Actually, ponch, retinal detachment is a very serious problem, and many people are at risk for this, especially older folks and those who have had cataract surgery.

 

Prompt treatment is essential. It is not "weird " for someone to ask if specialists are readily available and accessible at Caribbean ports.

 

Paul, thanks for asking the question, and Steve, thanks for your helpful response.

 

Oh, and by the way, if anyone is concerned with this and going to St Thomas, there are 2 retina specialists there, both trained in the Northeast. (and, if you have US insurance they may even take it)

 

Steve

[138east]

Here's a recent partial detachment experience - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2476425&highlight=Retina

[Hunwolf]

The first time I stepped onto the Nordic Empress (the old décor/design) I almost had an immediate retina detachment.

[Babygirl08]

This HANDS DOWN wins my vote for the absolutely most random, but EXTREMELY SPECIFIC, question I've ever seen in more than a dozen years on this forum.

 

 

I've seen a lot of weird questions, but never something this specific nor obscure.

 

 

 

 

We should hold a contest. This is my entry:

 

Could someone please tell me what the general response is if someone on Day 3, before 10am on my cruise hands me a ten-dollar bill from 1987 SERIES D with one corner slightly torn and what may appear to be a water stain just to the bottom of the signature?

 

I believe the correct response is "mashed-potato-filled argyle socks"?

[Biker19]

The first time I stepped onto the Nordic Empress (the old décor/design) I almost had an immediate retina detachment.

:eek::')

[nyllrap]

I think this is a great question! I have never experienced it, but being extremely nearsighted, am at risk. I have a good friend who has had detachments twice, and both times time was of the essence. I do have insurance for my Sept. 3 cruise, so am well prepared should it happen to me. I also know how quickly some illnesses can happen. Nine years ago I was getting ready for work and suddenly got horrible abdominal pains. I ended up in an ambulance and was hospitalized for 4 straight months (the first time, but had multiple hospitalizations) for severe necrotizing gallstone pancreatitis. Ouch! I almost died, but recovered, and even went back to work for a couple of years. Now I am retired and happily cruising and living life, but do carry insurance on my trips.

[jcross2]

nyllrap, so glad you recovered and are enjoying cruising!

 

Yes, being very nearsighted is another risk factor for a detached retina, which, like you said, strikes out of the blue like some other illnesses. I hope your friend was able to get fast treatment and retained her eyesight.

 

Being at high risk myself, I also find the OP's query very interesting. It is reassuring to know that there are specialists available in at least some Caribbean ports; thanks so much to the posters who shared that information.

[bumorgan]

 

 

 

 

 

Could someone please tell me what the general response is if someone on Day 3, before 10am on my cruise hands me a ten-dollar bill from 1987 SERIES D with one corner slightly torn and what may appear to be a water stain just to the bottom of the signature?

 

 

I would say Thank You.

[perditax]

I was interested enough to click. I thought I was having symptoms of a detached retina once (although not in the risk age range yet), but it was just problems due to my dry-eye syndrome. Anyway, because of that experience, I know that a detached retina is something you do not screw around with unless you want to be blind in that eye. Fixable but needs surgery quickly.

[Capt_BJ]

going back to the first post .....

 

when speaking of a cruise, most of us think of the Carib' ... and OP says this is the case

 

If so - then any medical evacuation from a ship at sea is gonna be the USCG 95% of the time (occasionally the USAF and USN helps out) {and even then ONLY if a resource is in range}

 

USCG medivacs from cruise ships are typically done to save a life .... and while this may sound harsh, a retina detachment is seldom fatal.

 

It (helo medivac) still might be done by CG but there is a factor that goes into the risk equation ....

[KuffMUp]

Here's a recent partial detachment experience - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2476425&highlight=Retina

 

I think I was suppose to be on a 2009 Southern Caribbean cruise in 2009 with you?

 

I had a retinal detachment after smashing my eye on the counter. About one week before the cruise they wanted to do surgery on it again but wanted to put a gas bubble back in so I couldn't fly. At the time, I was trying to save my eyesight. Knowing now, I should have told them no I'm going on my cruise. Retinal detachments are an emergency to save your eyesight but mine had 6 surgeries and the scar tissue has pretty much eliminated most of my field of vision. I did though have insurance which covered the entire cost. But still, I should have just gone on the cruise!

[djyellowsub]

I agree with the post about the medical treatment in St. Thomas. We had to leave the Oasis because my husband had a fluid overload due to congestive heart failure. RCI got an ambulance for us which whisked us off to the hospital there. I am very impressed with the hospital. The nurses and doctors were well trained and knowledgeable. RCI kept in good contact with us. I was very impressed with the St. Thomas port authority because we had to stay in the hospital and missed sailing away from St. Thomas. They helped us with transportation and took us through customs at the airport. I, of course, would have wanted to finish the cruise, but this experience made me more confident if I have a medical emergency away from home. I believe RCI takes medical situations seriously and help in any way they can. Going to the clinic on board can be expensive, so I recommend travel insurance.

[jamesr3939]

I believe within the last several months somebody posted specifically to OP's original question. But the thread was in the context of travel insurance how much it covered and how easy it was to use.

[poncho1973]

I believe the correct response is "mashed-potato-filled argyle socks"?

 

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Sascol]

I'd love to get some insight into why the OP asked this question. Very odd/random question indeed.

[flag fan]

Thank you for posting this question. My eye doctor has warned me that I am at risk for this problem (but, thankfully, no issues yet) and I was wondering about this happening just last week as I was planning for my Caribbean cruise in September. It is good to hear that there are facilities on St. Thomas that can handle this (the ship will be going there and to San Juan, as well as the beach on Haiti). Of course, since this can happen anywhere and any time, it would be a problem if it happened while at sea, but that is no reason (in my optimistic view) not to continue to cruise just because of such a possibility.

[RN4Nsy]

Yes, a retinal detachment is a big emergency. I lost an eye after 7 surgeries and a blind painful eye. Yes I have a high risk for it in good eye. However, it does not keep me from going on vacation. I always get Travel Insurance. Am I playing Russian roulette not knowing if countries I visit have a retinal specialist? Probably. I refuse to let "what if" rule my life.

[chiguypaul]

I wanted to mention that while many of you have mentioned travel insurance, and that's a good idea, if you fail to buy the insurance right away (e.g. first 14-21 days) and then you run into a tear type issue before the cruise, insurance companies will consider it a preexisting condition and will not cover any costs associated with it. The lesson is, always get the travel insurance right away.

[LuCruise]

Very good question. I had a retinal detachment in one eye 2 years ago and it's always a fear it'll happen to other eye. If you are at risk, it's good to know about help incase needed.

 

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[LuCruise]

I'd love to get some insight into why the OP asked this question. Very odd/random question indeed.

Not OP but am guessing the OP is at risk...so he/she is just being prepared. Nothing wrong with that.

 

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