Balanced total intravenous anaesthesia and intraocular pressure

Twenty patients, aged 21 to 48 years and rated ASA physical status I, were studied during ophthalmic surgery. Ten subjects (Group I) received thiopentone, halothane and nitrous oxide in oxygen, and ten (Group II) received total intravenous anaesthesia, using flunitrazepam and ketamine. Ventilation was controlled mechanically with the aid of a muscle relaxant. Both anaesthetic techniques caused a significant decrease in intraocular pressure. After an initial decline in systolic arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate, cardiovascular status was well maintained in the two series. Side effects were uncommon with both techniques. Balanced total intravenous anaesthesia with flunitrazepam, ketamine and relaxant appears to offer a safe alternative to conventional inhalation narcosis for intraocular surgery.