[Comparative study of the behavior of intraocular pressure in anesthesia induction by diazepam and midazolam]

20 patients scheduled for cataract extraction were randomly assigned to two groups. Before anaesthesia was induced, group A patients received 0.3 mg/kg body weight diazepam, whereas group B was given 0.15 mg/kg body weight midazolam. The ocular pressure, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate were determined and a capillary blood gas analysis was performed prior to the administration of the tranquilizer (time I), after the patient fell asleep (time II) as well as 5 min. after intubation (time III). Before intubation the patients received fentanyl and succinylcholin. The reduction in ocular pressure is initially somewhat less in the midazolam group, but is identical to that in the diazepam group at time III where it fell to 57% of the preinduction value. In combination with fentanyl, these two drugs are suitable for anaesthesia in intraocular surgery.