Effect of dorzolamide hydrochloride on central corneal thickness in humans with cornea guttata.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of dorzolamide hydrochloride on central corneal thickness in humans with cornea guttata.


METHODS
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked, 2-drug crossover study with 10 patients with cornea guttata and 10 healthy controls, who had mean endothelial cell counts of 988 and 2377 cells/mm(2), respectively. Study medications were 2% dorzolamide and placebo drops applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Central corneal thickness measurements using ACMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) and Goldmann applanation tonometry were performed at baseline, 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks.


RESULTS
The mean increases in central corneal thickness after 4 weeks in eyes with cornea guttata treated with dorzolamide and placebo were 26.3 microm (95% confidence interval, 8.8 to 43.7) and 3.3 microm (95% confidence interval, -0.5 to 7.1), respectively. No statistically significant changes were measured in the healthy control group. Dorzolamide caused a significant decrease in intraocular pressure (P < .01) while placebo did not cause significant changes (P = .50).


CONCLUSIONS
Application of dorzolamide for 4 weeks resulted in a statistically significant increase in central corneal thickness in patients with compromised corneal endothelium. These results indicate that patients with corneal endothelial problems receiving dorzolamide therapy should be monitored.
Wirtitsch
Matthias G
MG
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Findl
Oliver
O
Heinzl
Harald
H
Drexler
Wolfgang
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; C062765:dorzolamide