Gas bubbles in marine fish eyes

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This lyre fish or anthias developed a large pocket of gas around its eye within weeks of importation. It was anaesthetised and removed from the water to have the gas carefully drained with a syringe. More gas accumulated within 2 days, so the procedure was repeated. Acetazolamide, a drug used to treat glaucoma, was added to the water and prevented further gas reforming. This is thought to be due to a disorder of the blood vessels inside the eyes and affects other marine species with single haemoglobin subtypes. 

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