n. a surgical technique in which an inert gas bubble is injected into the eye to press and seal breaks in the retina. When the retina is flat, a laser beam or *cryoretinopexy is applied to cause scarring and permanently seal the tear.
n. 1. the insertion of a tampon. 2. abnormal pressure on a part of the body; for example, as caused by the presence of excessive fluid between the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart) and the heart (see cardiac tamponade). 3. the use of air, gas, or a heavy liquid injected into the vitreous humour to exert pressure on the retina, which keeps it apposed to the choroid during surgery to repair a detached retina. See pneumoretinopexy.... tamponade
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