Efficacy of Intravenous 3% Hypertonic Saline Compared to Mannitol 20% for Lowering Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Departments of Anesthesia & ICU* and Ophthalmology**, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

Abstract
Background: It is essential to reduce acutely raised in-traocular pressure before surgery and mannitol has been effectively used for this purpose. Also, intraocular pressure can be decreased by hypertonic saline by pulling fluid osmot-ically from tissues to the intravascular space.
Aim of Work: To evaluate efficacy of IV infusion of HTS 3% compared to mannitol 20% for decreasing IOP in glaucoma patients.
Material and Methods: 30 patients undergoing glaucoma surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into 2 groups. One group recieved hypertonic saline 3% (3 ml/kg) and the other group received mannitol (0.5gm/kg). Baseline IOP was measured just before infusion then measured 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120min after end of infusion.
Results: There was statistical significant decrease in the IOP in both groups at 1 and 2 hours after infusion when collected data were compared to baseline.
Conclusion: This study concluded that IV infusion of HTS 3% seemed to be effective in decreasing IOP in glaucoma patients. It might be considered as a good alternative to mannitol for this purpose.

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