Intraocular
gases have been used in
vitreoretinal surgery for over 40 years. The aim of this study was to review the complications related to the use of expandable
gases in
vitrectomy and their management. A PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase search was conducted using the terms "intraocular gas" and "
vitrectomy for
retinal detachment." Of the articles retrieved by this method, all publications in English and abstracts of non-English publications were reviewed. Intraocular pressure elevation was reported in up to 58.9% patients after
vitrectomy with expandable gas administration for
retinal detachment.
Vitreoretinal surgery is known to induce
cataract development. With that,
cataract progression is associated with lens exposure to intraocular gas, the duration of such exposure, patient's age, and the magnitude of vitreous removal. With intraocular gas, the posterior surface of the lens becomes a strongly refractive factor, resulting in high
myopia and temporary vision impairment. Other complications related to the use of expandable
gases include anterior chamber and subconjunctival gas displacement. Single reports on subretinal and cranial gas migration were published. In
vitrectomy for uncomplicated
retinal detachments, attempts to shift from expandable
gases towards air are observed. Nevertheless, gas tamponade remains a reasonable choice for patients suffering from
retinal detachment.