The British journal of ophthalmology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Oxygen application by a nasal probe prevents hypoxia but not rebreathing of carbon dioxide in patients undergoing eye surgery under local anaesthesia.
Hypoxia and carbon dioxide rebreathing are potential problems during eye surgery in spontaneously breathing patients. The aim of the present study was to determine effectiveness of nasal application of oxygen to prevent hypoxia and carbon dioxide accumulation in spontaneously breathing patients undergoing cataract surgery. ⋯ Nasal application of oxygen prevented hypoxia but did not prevent carbon dioxide accumulation in patients undergoing eye surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia. Additionally, as a side effect when using nasal probes, irritation of the nose was described in half of the patients investigated.
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Comment Letter
Topical steroid use in the treatment of ocular alkali burns.
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Visual awareness during phacoemulsification cataract surgery is an important determinant of patient satisfaction with any anaesthetic technique. Topical anaesthesia could be associated with significant visual awareness because it does not affect optic nerve function. ⋯ Patients experience a wide variety of visual sensations during phacoemulsification cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia. Topical anaesthesia does not, however, appear to result in greater visual awareness than regional anaesthesia. Preoperative patient counselling should include information about the visual experience during surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
New equipment to prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing during eye surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia.
Carbon dioxide concentration under ophthalmic drapes increases during eye surgery under local anaesthesia. A new prototype has been designed which combines continuous suction of carbon dioxide enriched air and continuous oxygen insufflation under ophthalmic drapes to prevent carbon dioxide accumulation in spontaneously breathing patients undergoing cataract surgery. ⋯ Application of this new prototype for continuous aspiration of carbon dioxide enriched air prevents carbon dioxide rebreathing and subsequent hypercapnia associated with an elevated respiratory rate. This new equipment may therefore be useful in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia.