Light exposure during general anesthesia

Effects and Mechanisms of Ambient Light Intensity on the Depth of General Anesthesia

This test checks whether covering patients' eyes during general anesthesia changes how much anesthetic adults (18–65) need.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 64 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Peking University People's Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT07517484 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults scheduled for general anesthesia are randomly assigned to either wear an eye shield (light-shielded) or not (non-shielded) during the procedure. Researchers will record induction drug dose and time, intraoperative anesthetic dosing, and emergence time to compare sedation depth and drug requirements between groups. The protocol excludes patients with blindness, photosensitivity, sleep or neurological disorders, pregnancy, severe organ dysfunction, substance abuse, or prior adverse anesthesia events. The trial is conducted at Peking University People's Hospital and uses a simple intervention (eye mask) to probe whether ambient light influences anesthesia through behavioral or physiological mechanisms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with ASA physical status I–II and BMI 18.5–28 who are having general anesthesia and meet the listed inclusion/exclusion criteria are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are blind, have photosensitivity, sleep or neurological disorders, are pregnant, have severe hepatic/renal dysfunction, or a history of anesthetic or alcohol abuse are unlikely to participate or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, a simple eye shield could reduce anesthetic doses or shorten recovery time after general anesthesia.

How similar studies have performed: Some small prior studies and circadian-light research hint that ambient light can influence sedative needs, but evidence is limited and results are mixed.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* a. Age between 18 and 65 years, regardless of gender;
* b. ASA physical status I-II;
* c. 18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 28;
* d. Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* a. Blindness or history of photosensitivity disorders;
* b. Patients requiring medication for sleep, or with a history of sleep disorders;
* c. Presence of neurological diseases;
* d. Pregnancy;
* e. Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction;
* f. History of anesthetic drug abuse or alcohol abuse;
* g. History of adverse anesthesia events (difficult airway, allergy to anesthetic agents).

Where this trial is running

Beijing

• Peking University People's Hospital — Beijing, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yi Feng, Ph.D

Conditions: Light, Anesthesia, Sedation, light, anesthesia, sedation depth