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OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors improve visual function in glaucoma. Furthermore topical dorzolamide might improve ocular hemodynamics, as was demonstrated previously. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether topical dorzolamide affects visual function and ocular hemodynamics in glaucoma. METHODS: In a retrospective, open clinical trial, dorzolamide eye drops were administered to 28 patients with confirmed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in both eyes, three times daily for a mean follow-up of nine months. One eye was randomly chosen for evaluation. Intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, heart rate, pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF), and Humphrey 30-2 visual fields were measured at baseline and after the start of the therapy. POBF was determined by pneumotonography. For statistical analysis the Wilcoxon-matched-paired test and the Bonferoni-Holm adjustment were used. RESULTS: In dorzolamide-treated patients the IOP dropped from 18 mmHg to 15.5 mmHg after nine months' therapy (p < 0.01) and the visual field improved significantly by 18% (p < 0.05). A statistically significant change was found for POBF from 543 μl/min to 675 μl/min (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the expected drop in IOP. Visual function and pulsatile ocular blood flow improved significantly which might be explained by an analogous, vasodilatory effect as was observed in orally applied carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. LA: German
Dr A.S. Bernd, Universitäts-Augenklinik Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg. bernd@uke.uni-hamburg.de
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
11.5.2 Topical (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.5 Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)