Abstract

Background and purpose: control of intraocular pressure has specific role in ophthalmic surgery but ETT as a common access to airway in general anesthesia lead to increase in IOP, so, many study have been done to evaluate an alternative access to airway such as laryngeal mask. We conducted this study to evaluate intraocular pressure changes subsequent to insertion of laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in 50 adult's patients who candidated for phako surgery. The patients were divided in 2 groups with simple randomized method (25 patients per group). Laryngeal mask airway was inserted in group 1 (11 cases of right eye cataract and 14 cases of left), and tracheal tube was inserted in group 2 (11 and 14 cases the same as group 1). IOP were measured in 2 groups in only affected eye (right or left). Results: 3 minutes after anesthesia in ETT group, IOP in right eye was: mean ± SD= 16.31 ± 1.45 and in left eye was: mean ± SD= 16.71 ± 1.747 and in LMA group IOP in right eye was: mean ± SD= 12.54 ± 1.398 and 14 left eye was: mean ± SD= 12.73 ± 1.491 . A statistically significant decrease in IOP in LMA group (inclusive right and left eyes) was seen (P= 0.012). Conclusion: laryngeal mask airway is a reliable alternative technique for ocular surgeries compare to tracheal intubation.