Intra-ocular pressure and haemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation and extubation: a comparative study in glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous children.

This prospective, controlled study was conducted to compare the effects of tracheal intubation and extubation on intra-ocular pressure changes and haemodynamic parameters in paediatric patients with and without glaucoma. The children were scheduled for intra-ocular surgery. Twenty children with normal intra-ocular pressure and 15 with glaucoma were studied. A standardised general anaesthetic was administered to both groups. After 5 min of anaesthesia, intra-ocular pressure, heart rate and noninvasive blood pressure were measured. These measurements were repeated 30 s and 2 min after tracheal intubation. Further measurements were taken before, and 30 s and 2 min after extubation. The increase in intra-ocular pressure after intubation was greater in the glaucomatous group than in the normal group. The increase in intra-ocular pressure was greater after extubation than intubation in both groups, but was similar in the two groups. However, because of the already increased intra-ocular pressure in glaucomatous children, they may be at an increased risk of visual damage after intubation and extubation.