Intraocular Pressure Changes After Gas Tamponade

Kim, Ha Kyoung; Yoo, Jae In; Kim, Hyung Chan

Abstract

100% sulfur hexafluoride(SF6) was injected into the vitreous cavity of nonvitrectomized retinal detachment patients. A total of 0.5ml of gas was injected with a single shot in 3 eyes or two 0.25ml in 3 eyes without lowering of intraocular pressure. And in 3 eyes, single shot of 0.5ml of gas was used after lowering of intraocular pressure. The changes of intraocular pressure were monitored at 5 minute intervals for 60 minutes and at one hour intervals for 8 hours after injection. Marked elevation of intraocular pressure was noted in both single shot group, but the elevation of intraocular pressure of double shot group was much smaller. But in all groups, the intraocular pressures were returned to under 30mmHg within 20 minutes and no re-elevation of intraocular pressure was noted in all cases after initial return to normal. In a case with two 0.3ml shots, the highest pressure was 49mmHg and with 0.35ml shots, the highest pressure was 78mmHg. So the effect of SF6 on intraocular pressure seemed to be negligible so long as the injection volume was limited to 0.5ml or less in single shot; and 0.6ml in double shots.