Effects of intracameral injection of epinephrine and 2% lidocaine on pupil diameter, intraocular pressure, and cardiovascular parameters in healthy cats

Intraocular pressure and pupil diameter in healthy cats anesthetized with isoflurane and pre-medicated with isolated acepromazine or in combination with tramadol

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine changes on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD) in healthy cats anesthetized with isoflurane, and premedicated with acepromazine alone or in combination with tramadol. Thirty cats were allocated in two groups (n=15/each) and were treated with acepromazine (AG) or acepromazine/tramadol (ATG). PD and IOP were assessed before and following 30 (PM1), and 40 minutes (PM2) of treatments. Anesthesia was induced with propofol, and IOP and DP were recorded (A10) at 10 minute intervals until the end of anesthesia (A40). IOP decreased in AG and ATG, when comparing baseline with PM1. IOP decreased only in AG, in comparisons between baseline and PM2. During anesthesia, IOP did not change within and between groups. Comparisons between baseline with those recorded at PM1 and 2 showed that PD increased in the ATG. During anesthesia, PD decreased significantly in AG and ATG. Both protocols maintained the IOP within the reference range to perform corneal or intraocular surgery in healthy cats but did not sustain pre-anesthetic pupil dilation observed in ATG.

Effect of intracameral epinephrine on heart rate, post-operative ocular hypertension, and long-term outcome following canine phacoemulsification

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of intrsacameral epinephrine on heart rate, blood pressure, post-operative ocular hypertension, and complications following canine phacoemulsification.

PROCEDURES

A prospective, double-blinded, controlled trial was carried out using 30 client-owned dogs undergoing phacoemulsification. Eyes were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving intracameral (IC) epinephrine (n = 31) or balanced salt solution (n = 25) at the beginning of surgery. Heart rate, post-operative intraocular pressures, and outcomes were compared between treatment groups.

RESULTS

No adverse reactions to IC epinephrine or saline were observed. Post-operative ocular hypertension developed at the 2 and/or 4 hours pressure reading in 35% and 46% in the epinephrine and saline groups, respectively (P = .5072). There were 9.7% and 23.1% eyes that developed complications in the IC epinephrine and saline groups, respectively (P = .2373).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracameral epinephrine is safe to use, and non-significant decreases in post-operative ocular hypertension and long-term complications were observed.