[Ocular hemodynamics and visual field in glaucoma treated with dorzolamide].
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, 3 times daily for a mean follow up of 9 months. One eye was randomly chosen for evaluation. 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 9 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 microliters/min to 675 microliters/min (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed the expected drop in intraocular pressure. 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.
Bernd
A S
AS
Universitäts-Augenklinik Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg. bernd@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Pillunat
L E
LE
Böhm
A G
AG
Schmidt
K G
KG
Richard
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; C062765:dorzolamide