Complications Related to Air and Perfluorocarbon Gas in Vitreoretinal Surgery

Abstract

Intraocular gases have been used in vitreoretinal surgery for many years. The aim of this study was to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative complications of gas tamponades used in vitreoretinal surgery. Vitreoretinal surgery is known to induce cataract development. With that, cataract progression is related to lens exposure to intraocular gas, the duration of exposure, patient’s age, and the magnitude of vitreous removal. With exposure to intraocular gas, lens becomes strongly refractive, resulting in high miyopia and temporary visual impairment. The other complications of intraocular gases are gas migration, increased intraocular pressure, corneal complications and recurrent retinal detachment. Nevertheless, gases are frequently preferred tamponade agents in vitreoretinal surgery.