[Comparative study of the effects of two anti-glaucomatous drugs on the corneal thickness in rabbits with corneal autografts].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the central corneal thickness after administration of the anti-glaucomatous medications latanoprost 0.005% or dorzolamide 2%, as assessed in rabbits which have had total corneal thickness autografts.


METHODS
A bilateral total corneal thickness autograft was performed in ten rabbits. One rabbit was excluded from the subsequent study in which the antiglaucomatous medication was started two months post-operatively. Latanoprost 0.005% was instilled once per day into the right eye, whereas the left eyes were treated with dorzolamide 2% twice a day. The eyes were examined by biomicroscopy and ultrasound pachymetry immediately prior to commencement, and 4, 10, 17 and 27 weeks after starting the anti-glaucomatous treatment. In each instance three assessments of the central corneal thickness in each eye were made. At the end of the study, the influence of time and treatment on the corneal thickness was analyzed using a generalized linear model for repeated measurements. All penetrating keratoplasties were performed by the same surgeon (C.H.P).


RESULTS
Treatment with dorzolamide resulted in corneal edema and a significant increase in central corneal thickness, whereas the treatment with latanoprost resulted in neither corneal edema nor corneal thickness changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Dorzolamide, when instilled into the eyes of rabbits with corneal autografts, could have a negative effect on the graft, impairing the endothelial function through inhibition of the ionic pump. This effect could cause graft failure, which may be able to be defined with ultrasound pachimetry.
Chiaradia
P A
PA
Jefe de la Sección de Córnea, Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. pchiaradia@fibertel.com.ar
Casiraghi
J F
JF
Fischbarg
J
J
Lavena
P I
PI
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D000077338:Latanoprost; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000077338:Latanoprost; C062765:dorzolamide