[R-(+)-alpha-methylbenzylimidazol-5-carboxylate (etomidate), a new anesthetic of ophthalmological importance].

Data showing that a new i.v. anaesthetic, R-(+)-alphamethyl-benzyl-imidazol-5-carboxylate (Etomidate), leads to an approximately 3.3 mmHg fall in ocular pressure below the baseline are presented. The drug was also accompanied by a 14.1 mmHg and 12 beats/min decrease in A.P. and heart rate respectively. Further work on the various effects of this anaesthetic is required, since the paper is limited to its investigation in the induction stage.