Mydriatic Effect of Anticholinergic Drugs Used During Reversal of Nondepolarizing Muscle Relaxants

Abstract

Large doses of anticholinergic drugs (atropine, glycopyrrolate) produced mydriasis in a group of adults with no eye abnormalities except strabismus, though the usual intramuscular and intravenous doses of these drugs do not have this tendency. Such large doses are often given intravenously during general anesthesia to prevent the side effects of neostigmine methylsulfate, which is used to reverse the effect of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Neostigmine methylsulfate (Prostigmin) reduced the mydriatic effect when given intravenously in conjunction with atropine or glycopyrrolate. Mydriasis was more likely to occur in lightly pigmented eyes than in eyes with dark irides. Pilocarpine eyedrops instilled at the beginning of anesthesia caused miosis that persisted after the large intravenous doses of atropine or glycopyrrolate were given. To prevent an attack of acute angle-closure glaucoma in any patient who is to receive large doses of anticholinergic drugs during general anesthesia, miotic drug therapy should be continued before, during, and after anesthesia at the same frequency as when awake.