Etomidate induced retinal changes.

The author examined the effect of etomidate-anaesthesia of one hour duration on the ultrastructure of the retina in animal experiments. Immediately after the exposure only the Müller's cells were moderately damaged. One day following the narcosis more serious pathological changes developed in the external nuclear layer which were partly irreversible. The changes found in the internal nuclear layer were less serious. The structure of the glial cells also altered. In the specimens taken 48 h following the anaesthesia the pathological changes of the neurons regressed to some degree, the Müller's cells reorganised and masses of glycogen accumulated in them. Further studies are needed to explain the eventual retinal toxic effect of this agent.