American journal of ophthalmology
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The ocular effects of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were prospectively studied in 46 patients. We examined preoperative and post-operative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, body weight, fluids infused during surgery, hematocrit, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. On the first postoperative day mean intraocular pressure increased 2.1 mm Hg (P = .003) from baseline preoperative levels. ⋯ The increase in intraocular pressure did not correlate with the postoperative weight gain or hemodilution. However, the medications necessary after cardiac surgery may be a significant confounding variable. This study demonstrates that one cause of ocular problems from cardiopulmonary bypass surgery may be related to the dynamics of intraocular pressure.