title: Nitrous oxide inhalation anaesthesia in the presence of intraocular gas can cause irreversible blindness.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY. alastairlockwood2000@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D005740:Gases; D009609:Nitrous Oxide