Effect of long-term subconjunctival administration of Diamox (acetazolamide) on the ocular tension in rabbit.

In eight normal rabbits, sodium acetazolamide (5.5 mg per kg of body weight) in 11% solution was injected subconjunctivally daily for about four weeks in the left eye of each rabbit, with the right eye serving as a control. Ocular tension in both eyes was measured by the Perkins hand-held applanation tonometer. Five of the eight rabbits showed a significant difference (P less than 0.05) in ocular tension between treated and untreated eyes, with a decrease in the treated left eye. The ocular tension decrease in the treated left eye began about one week after the beginning of the injections and lasted for about two weeks. Thereafter, ocular tension in the treated left eye returned to base-line levels, despite continued subconjuctival injection of sodium acetazolamide.