Nitrous oxide inhalation anaesthesia in the presence of intraocular gas can cause irreversible blindness.
Nitrous oxide inhalation sedation is frequently used in dental and other surgical procedures. We report the case of a patient with intraocular gas who developed sudden elevation in intraocular pressure and blindness as a result of nitrous oxide anaesthesia. All medical and dental personnel administering nitrous oxide inhalation should be aware that this is contraindicated in patients with intraocular gas.
Lockwood
A J
AJ
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY. alastairlockwood2000@yahoo.co.uk
Yang
Y F
YF
D000368:Aged; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D005740:Gases; D009609:Nitrous Oxide