The effects of ketamine sedation and ketamine-pentobarbital anesthesia upon the intraocular pressure of the rabbit.

The effect of ketamine sedation and ketamine-pentobarbital anesthesia upon the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the rabbit was studied by applanation pneumatonography. Peak values of IOP during both ketamine sedation and ketamine-pentobarbital anesthesia were reached 3 to 5 minutes after administration of the drug(s). The peak IOP increase during ketamine sedation (10 mg./kg. IM) was 2.2 +/- 0.4 mm. Hg. The peak IOP increase with ketamine-pentobarbital anesthesia (50 mg./kg. ketamine IM + 30 mg./kg. pentobarbital IM) was 7.1 +/- 0.8 mm. Hg. Atropine premedication did not prevent the increase in IOP seen with ketamine sedation or ketamine-pentobarbital anesthesia.