MODIFICATION BY FENTANYL AND ALFENTANIL OF THE INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE RESPONSE TO SUXAMETHONIUM AND TRACHEAL INTUBATION

We have measured in a double-blind study the changes in intraocularpressure (IOP) in 40 consecutive patients (pretreated with fentanylor alfentanil) who received suxamethonium and tracheal intubation.Although IOP increased significantly following administrationof suxamethonium, mean IOP in both groups remained significantlyless than control values (P < 0.002). Tracheal intubationcaused a further significant increase in IOP in the fentanyl,but not the alfentanil group. There were no significant differencesin mean IOP between the fentanyl and alfentanil groups. Bothopioids reduced, but did not abolish the haemodynamic responsesto tracheal intubation. ^*Present address: Department of Anaesthesia, Arrowe Park Hospital,Upton, Wirral L49 5LN.