Eye Drops: Must-Knows for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care.

Eye drops such as topical β-blockers are widely used to treat glaucoma and other ocular diseases. We provide an overview of ophthalmic solutions, including β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, for anesthesiologists and others involved in perioperative care. We summarize current evidence about systemic effects of topical β-blockers and other commonly used ophthalmic agents such as parasympathomimetic eye drops, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and emerging products such as combinations of multiple substances. We call for careful preoperative assessment and perioperative management of individuals using eye drops, especially critically ill patients, children, or those undergoing major surgery.