Damage to the Eye

In water gas bubbles may form under the skin, in the gills, behind the eyes or on the organs of the fish when water becomes supersaturated with gases.  Gas supersaturation can be caused by rapid heating of water in a closed system, such as in water used for cooling in thermal power generating plants that is discharged to rivers or lakes. Gas supersaturation may also occur downstream of dams or waterfalls when gases are forced into solution in tumbling water. Gas bubbles that form behind the eye may cause it to “pop” out.