A randomized study of dorzolamide in the prevention of elevated intraocular pressure after anterior segment laser surgery. Dorzolamide Laser Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride opthalmic solution in preventing spikes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after anterior segment laser surgery.


METHODS
This 24-hour, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-masked, multicenter evaluation was conducted to determine the efficacy of dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% in controlling IOP after neodimium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy, argon laser trabeculoplasty, or laser iridotomy. The 122 patients enrolled were assigned in randomized fashion to receive dorzolamide or placebo 1 hour before and immediately after the procedure; IOP was measured 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24 hours after the procedure.


RESULTS
Of 61 patients receiving dorzolamide, only one (1.7%) had a spike in IOP of 10 mmHg or more, compared with 9 (14.8%) of the 61 patients receiving placebo. Mean IOP among patients receiving dorzolamide was significantly reduced both from baseline and compared with that among patients receiving placebo from 1 to 4 hours after administration. Only 5 (8%) of the 61 patients receiving dorzolamide experienced at least one adverse event, compared with 15 (25%) of the 61 patients receiving placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Dorzolamide was effective in preventing spikes in IOP after anterior segment laser surgery. Dorzolamide was generally well tolerated after short-term use.
Hartenbaum
D
D
Merck Research Laboratories, Merck and Company, Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA.
Wilson
H
H
Maloney
S
S
Vacarelli
L
L
Orillac
R
R
Sharpe
E
E
D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000601:surgery*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; C062765:dorzolamide