In about 1 in 10 operations it is necessary to put a gas bubble in the eye in order to support the retina. This is because a tear has either been made or found in the retina at the time of surgery.

The gas bubble acts as a splint within the eye and absorbs spontaneously over a period of between 2 and 8 weeks. With a gas bubble in the eye it is vital that you do not fly. It is now very rare for me to ask a patient to posture in a face down position after an operation.