Patients should not be given nitrous oxide for up to eight weeks after receiving intraocular gas injections, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In its May Patient Safety News broadcast, the FDA warned that severe eye injury or blindness can occur if patients who receive intraocular injections of inert gases to treat retinal tears and detachments later receive nitrous oxide in dental or surgical procedures.
The inert gases perfluoropropane and sulfur hexafluoride are injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye, where they produce a gas bubble that helps heal retinal tears. The gas bubble gradually diffuses from the eye over a period of about one to eight weeks.
While the gas bubble still is in the eye, patients need to avoid activities that can increase intraocular pressure, such as riding in an airplane or making other significant changes in altitude. If they do not, the increased intraocular pressure can cause eye injury. Eye injury also can occur if a patient with an intraocular gas bubble receives nitrous oxide.
If you use nitrous oxide in your practice, the FDA recommends that you ask your patients if they have had retinal procedures recently. If they answer yes, check with their eye care specialists before administering nitrous oxide.
