title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK.
authors.forename: Lik Thai
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Monklands Hospital, Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire ML6 0JS, UK.
authors.forename: Elliott Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Ah-Kee
authors.affiliation: Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, USA.
authors.forename: Beve P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: House
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Walker