Anaesthetic protocol for paediatric glaucoma examinations: the prospective EyeBIS Study protocol

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Anesthesiology
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Accurate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement in neonates and infants with glaucoma is challenging due to factors like crying and squinting.
• Perioperative variables including anesthetic depth, airway management, and hemodynamic factors significantly influence IOP readings under anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized anesthetic protocol for accurate IOP measurement in childhood glaucoma.
• To investigate the relationship between IOP magnitude and anesthetic depth using the bispectral index (BIS).

Main Methods:

• A single-center, prospective cohort study involving 100 children with diagnosed or suspected glaucoma undergoing general anesthesia.
• Inclusion of 20 control children undergoing general anesthesia for other reasons.
• Assessment of the correlation between IOP and anesthetic depth (BIS), with attention to airway management and hemodynamic parameters, using a mixed-effects linear model.

Main Results:

• The study aims to establish a standardized anesthetic protocol for IOP measurement in pediatric glaucoma.
• Analysis will describe the influence of airway management and hemodynamics on IOP under anesthesia.
• A 95% reference region for IOP in healthy eyes will be determined.

Conclusions:

• A standardized anesthetic protocol is crucial for reliable IOP measurements in pediatric glaucoma.
• Understanding the impact of anesthetic variables on IOP is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
• The EyeBIS study will provide valuable data for optimizing anesthetic care in children with glaucoma.