Anaesthesia and intra‐ocular pressure in young children

Abstract

This study compares the effects of three anaesthetic techniques on intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in infants and children: spontaneous ventilation using nitrous oxide with halothane (group 1) or isoflurane (group 2) and controlled ventilation with atracurium (group 3). The IOP remained constant in groups 1 and 2 until the administration of suxamethonium when it rose significantly; this rise was maintained during tracheal intubation. In group 3 IOP increased on administering atracurium and a further increase was seen during tracheal intubation. Diagnostic intra-ocular pressure measurements should be made during spontaneous breathing prior to tracheal intubation. The IOP was not directly affected by arterial blood pressure or by expired CO2 tension.