Premium
The effect of nitrous oxide on intra‐ocular pressure in healthy adults *
Author(s) -
Lalwani K.,
Fox E. B.,
Fu R.,
Edmunds B.,
Kelly L. D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2011.06989.x
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , medicine , anesthesia , inhalation , breathing
Summary Many anaesthetic agents affect intra‐ocular pressure, yet little is known about nitrous oxide and intra‐ocular pressure. This study assessed the effect of nitrous oxide on intra‐ocular pressure in 20 healthy adult volunteers. The intra‐ocular pressure was measured at baseline, while breathing a 70:30 mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen for 12 min, and then while breathing room air for 15 min. A linear mixed effects model was used to assess change in intra‐ocular pressure over time. There was no significant difference in intra‐ocular pressure between baseline and during or after nitrous oxide inhalation. Several differences in intra‐ocular pressure were noted between internal time‐points: pressure increased by 2.4 mmHg between 3 and 6 min of breathing nitrous oxide (p = 0.01); it increased by 1.4 mmHg between 3 and 9 min of breathing nitrous oxide (p = 0.046); and it decreased by 2.2 mmHg between 6 min of breathing nitrous oxide and 15 min of breathing room air (p = 0.035). This study indicates that nitrous oxide inhalation does not significantly change intra‐ocular pressure from baseline values in a population of healthy adults.