Mike Zimmer is determined not to undergo additional surgeries on his problematic right eye.
Speaking to Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Minnesota Vikings coach said he's still dealing with vision problems associated with a detached retina he suffered in October.
Zimmer, who has undergone eight surgeries to repair his eye, is scheduled to meet with doctors in Cincinnati next week to determine whether pressure problems in his eye have subsided. If Zimmer is still having problems, he might be forced to drive from his home in Kentucky to Minnesota for the team's training camp later this month, the Pioneer Press reported.
The primary problem involves a gas bubble in the eye. If it fails to dissipate, Zimmer will not be cleared by his doctors to fly.
"That gas bubble's got to be gone before he can fly so it doesn't pop out of his head and they're chasing it down the aisle," said Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, who has been working with Zimmer to ensure he's following his doctor's orders.
With no lens in his eye, Zimmer told the newspaper that all he can see is shapes. Once the bubble goes away, he will be allowed to wear contacts again. He could undergo surgery to have a permanent lens inserted in his right eye, but Zimmer doesn't consider that an option.
"... We're not going to do that," Zimmer said. "We're not having more surgeries."
Zimmer began to experience trouble with his eye in October before the series of surgeries. He missed an early December game against the Cowboys due to the issue.
Zimmer, 61, did not attend two weeks of the Vikings' offseason program after having his eighth surgery in May. He returned to the team in time for minicamp in June.
UPDATE: The Pioneer Press reported Monday that Zimmer has been cleared to fly again.