Reducing fire hazard during ophthalmic surgery by using compressed air

The use of oxygen increases the risk of fire during ophthalmic surgery. A prospective clinical study was conducted involving 100 patients without pulmonary disease who had cataract surgery under local anesthesia using either oxygen or compressed air. No clinically significant difference in oxygen saturation between the two groups was found. There was no statistically significant difference in the net change in saturation, and the significant difference found in overall mean saturation between the two groups was invalidated by inherent machine error. Using compressed air instead of oxygen is suggested to reduce fire hazard during ophthalmic surgery.