Effect of Uterine Fundal Pressure on Maternal Intraocular Pressure in Cesarean Delivery: Comparison of Regional and General Anesthesia.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) changes accompanying fundal pressure during a cesarean-section procedure under both regional and general anesthesia.

Methods: In total, 60 women scheduled for elective cesarean section, none of them diagnosed with ocular problems, were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent cesarean section under either general (group G, n=30) or regional anesthesia (group S, n=30) according to their choice. IOP was measured with a Tono-Pen before (T1) and after (T2) application of anesthesia, during fundal pressure (T3), and after the birth of the baby (T4). Heart rate as well as systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were recorded during the procedure.

Results: There was no significant difference in IOP between the groups (P>0.05). In group S, IOP at T3 was significantly higher than at all other timepoints (P<0.001). In group G, IOP at T3 was significantly higher than at T2 and T4. Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in group S at all timepoints except T1.

Conclusions: In conclusion, fundal pressure may significantly increase the IOP, but the choice of anesthetic technique may not have any effect on IOP.