Iatrogenic retinal traumas in ophthalmic surgery

BACKGROUND: To describe the main retinal iatrogenic traumas possibly related to ophthalmic surgery and the precautions to be adopted to avoid them. METHODS: The article reviews the main peer-reviewed literature concerning retinal injuries caused by surgically related maneuvers. Safety measures alleged to inhibit any possible iatrogenic damage are also evaluated. RESULTS: Photochemical damage of the retina, retinal complications after strabismus surgery, retinal complications related to local anesthesia for ophthalmic surgery, retinal damage during cataract surgery and retinal damage during vitreoretinal surgery are the most common iatrogenic retinal injuries. Their incidence is related to risk factors peculiar to each condition. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic surgeons are aware that there are a number of circumstances in which several undesirable retinal iatrogenic injuries might occur, sometimes with serious consequences. This is why surgeons should take every precaution at each surgical step to avoid any possible retinal iatrogenic damage.