title: Sensitivity to retinal light damage and surgical blood oxygen levels.
abstract: Increased oxygen levels decrease the threshold for photochemical retinal damage. We measured arterial oxygen levels in a group of ophthalmic surgical patients. As expected, levels exceeded unanesthetized measurements by one to two times. Based on experimental data, this could decrease the threshold for light-induced retinal damage during ophthalmic surgery by 40% to 50%. While the clinical implications of light-induced retinal damage in surgical eye patients are unclear, it is prudent to take steps to minimize light exposure during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Retina Research Laboratory, Center for Sight, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Parver
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mitchard
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Ham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000758:Anesthesia; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012160:Retina / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen