The management of gas-filled eyes in the emergency department

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intraocular gas bubbles are commonly used in retinal surgery. There are specific management guidelines that need to be followed to ensure surgical success, and there are also unique ophthalmic and systemic complications that can occur in such patients. OBJECTIVE: To educate emergency department personnel about important issues in the management of patients who have a gas-filled eye following retinal surgery. CASE REPORT: A patient with a gas-filled eye developed several complications including pain, severe vision loss, high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block, and pneumocephalus. CONCLUSION: Awareness of potential problems that may arise in patients with gas-filled eyes who present to the emergency department may help minimize morbidity for such patients.