Systemic effects of intraocular epinephrine during cataract surgery

This paper examines the effects of intraocular epinephrine on systemic blood pressure and heart rate during cataract surgery. Sixty-two patients were studied, all of whom received an intraocular infusion of approximately 200 to 300 mL of balanced salt solution with 0.5 mL of epinephrine 1:1000. There was no statistically significant change in blood pressure or heart rate during the time of epinephrine administration. Electrocardiogram monitoring during surgery showed no changes. We believe that dilute concentrations of epinephrine administered during extracapsular cataract extraction pose little threat of systemic toxicity.