Improved method of dilating pupils for ophthalmic exams under anesthesia (faster and easier)

Objective

The pupils of children with retinoblastoma are routinely dilated pre-procedure with Tropicamide and Phenylephrine. Despite that, the pupil constricts once general anesthesia begins. The aim of this study is to see if adding Ketorolac to the regular dilating drops given pre-procedure shortens the length of anesthesia.

Methods

Retrospective comparison of time under anesthesia for two groups of retinoblastoma children receiving anesthesia for examination under anesthesia: one group (January 1, 2019 to October 1, 2022) had been dilated with Tropicamide 1% and Phenylephrine 2.5% while the second group (October 2, 2022 to July 1, 2023) was dilated with a combination drop using those drugs with topical Ketorolac 0.5% and Proparacaine 0.5%.

Results

Average anesthesia time for patients who received the older two-drug combination was 25 minutes vs. 16 minutes (36% reduction in exposure time) for those who received the newer four-drug combination (9 minutes less anesthesia) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of a combined dilating drop that incorporated Tropicamide 1%, Phenylephrine 2.5%, Proparacaine 0.5% and Ketorolac 0.5% significantly shortened the time for exams under anesthesia for children with retinoblastoma because the pupil remained dilated after anesthesia induction with Sevoflurane. Using this combined drop, children will receive 5–10 hours less anesthesia during their treatment for retinoblastoma and staff will have more than 150 hours of fewer exposure to anesthetic gasses. In addition, far fewer drops are necessary pre-anesthesia, minimizing trauma to the children and families.