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Intraocular pressures in children with glaucoma during halothane anesthesia.
Annals of Ophthalmology
|November 1, 1977
Summary
Halothane anesthesia can indicate glaucoma in children. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) during anesthesia suggests glaucoma, but normal IOP does not rule it out. Awake IOP measurements are reliable for diagnosing glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Congenital and secondary glaucoma in children present unique diagnostic challenges.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is crucial for glaucoma management.
- Halothane anesthesia's effect on IOP in pediatric glaucoma is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of halothane anesthesia on intraocular pressure (IOP) in children with glaucoma.
- To determine if IOP changes during halothane anesthesia can serve as an indicator of pediatric glaucoma.
- To compare IOP measurements under anesthesia with awake, sedated measurements for glaucoma diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Thirty intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were taken on 10 children with glaucoma (congenital or secondary).
- IOP was measured before and after halothane anesthesia.
- A control group of 7 normal eyes was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- In normal eyes, IOP decreased by a mean of 3 mm Hg.
- In glaucomatous eyes, mean IOP decreased from 43 mm Hg to 34 mm Hg.
- Elevated IOP (>21 mm Hg) during halothane anesthesia was suspicious for glaucoma, though normal IOP did not exclude it.
Conclusions:
- Abnormally elevated IOP during halothane anesthesia suggests a glaucomatous process in children.
- Awake, sedated IOP measurements appear reliable for diagnosing pediatric glaucoma.
- Intraocular pressure monitoring during anesthesia can aid in glaucoma diagnosis when combined with clinical observations.