Acute angle-closure glaucoma associated with surgical anesthesia.

We reviewed the records of all inpatients of the UCLA Medical Center from 1955 to 1980 with the discharge diagnosis of "glaucoma." Nine cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma occurring after spinal or general anesthesia were identified among the 913 records reviewed. Of the nine cases, two were bilateral. Seven patients were female and two were male; the mean age was 63 years. Six of the nine surgical procedures were extraperitoneal and abdominal or pelvic. Parenteral atropine sulfate or scopolamine hydrobromide was administered to seven patients and ephedrine sulfate to four; drug-induced mydriasis may have contributed to this complication. Succinylcholine chloride, which causes contraction of the extraocular muscles, was administered to six patients. Additionally, psychological stress in the surgical patient may increase the risk of this disease by causing mydriasis. Our cases are compared with previous reports.