Sensitivity to retinal light damage and surgical blood oxygen levels.

Increased oxygen levels decrease the threshold for photochemical retinal damage. We measured arterial oxygen levels in a group of ophthalmic surgical patients. As expected, levels exceeded unanesthetized measurements by one to two times. Based on experimental data, this could decrease the threshold for light-induced retinal damage during ophthalmic surgery by 40% to 50%. While the clinical implications of light-induced retinal damage in surgical eye patients are unclear, it is prudent to take steps to minimize light exposure during surgery.