[Absorption of adrenaline after local administration to the eye]

Twenty patients undergoing surgery for correction of strabismus under general anesthesia were randomly selected to receive conjunctival application of 100 microliters (20 micrograms) adrenaline in both eyes or in neither (controls). A further 20 patients undergoing cataract surgery with local anesthesia were randomly selected to receive 1 ml adrenaline 1:10 000 (100 micrograms) or 1 ml balanced salt solution (controls) in the anterior chamber. Adrenaline in plasma was measured in six time points within 15 min (correction of strabismus) or at seven within 30 min (cataract surgery). Plasma levels of adrenaline, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were comparable in treatment groups and controls. No severe arrhythmias were observed. Neither conjunctival application of 20 micrograms adrenaline or instillation of 100 micrograms adrenaline into the anterior chamber increases adrenaline levels in plasma, and there is no reason to suspect cardiovascular interactions.