[Althesin in surgery of the eyeball]

Evaluation of Althesin in open eyeball surgery is reported. The anaesthetic gave surgically very useful and stable hypotonia, comparable with that offered by pentothal. Its is felt that steroid anaesthesia is excellent for surgical purposes and that Althesin is ideal on account of its overall features: lack of toxicity, high therapeutic index, tranquil induction, rapid return to consciousness, excellent quality, absence of carryover effects, and easy regulation. It is, moreover, rarely responsible for coughing and vomiting. It is preferable in eye surgery to "heavy" anaesthetics, such as barbiturates and volatile halogenates, particularly in the aged.