Influence of dorzolamide on corneal thickness, endothelial cell count and corneal sensibility.

PURPOSE

Dorzolamide (Trusopt) is the first topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) that is in clinical use in glaucoma therapy. It is known that CAI have a negative effect on corneal endothelial pumpfunction and therefore on the whole corneal physiology.

METHODS

20 patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) over 21 mmHg and without prior oral CAI-treatment were included in this study. Trusopt was administered t.i.d. as monotherapy and b.i.d. in combination with other topical antiglaucoma drugs. Corneal ultrasound pachymetry, corneal endothelial cell count and aesthesiometry were performed prestudy and on days 1, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 90.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Mean corneal thickness was slightly increased on day one (statistically non-significant) and returned to baseline measurements at the following visits, no changes in endothelial cell count and corneal anesthesia were found. Topical dorzolamide is not associated with clinically meaningful changes of the cornea.