VALUE OF DORZOLAMID AS AN ADJUNCT TO MAXI MUM TOLERATED MEDICAL THERAPY

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the value of dorzolamid as an adjunct to maximum tolerated medical therap y in glaucoma patients in whom surgery would otherwise be required. Me thods 32 eyes of 21 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (14 pati ents), glaucoma in aphakia (3 patients), pigmentary glaucoma (2 patien ts), juvenile glaucoma (1 patient) and exfoliative glaucoma (1 patient ) were included. The effect of additional dorzolamid application on in traocular pressure (IOP) was determined after 2 hours, 4 days, 4 weeks , 3 months and 6 months. After 6 months, visual fields were checked. R esults Average reduction of IOP in eyes in which dorzolamid was contin ued was determined to be 31% after 2 hours, 18.3% after 4 days, 17.9% after 4 weeks, 12.1% after 3 months and 9.7% after 6 months. 19 (59%) eyes continued to receive dorzolamid after 6 months without being oper ated. No progression of glaucomatous damage could be detected in these eyes. In 11 (34%) eyes, treatment with dorzolamid was discontinued. 2 patients (4 (12%) eyes) did not tolerate local side effects of dorzol amid. In 7 (22%) eyes reduction of IOP was insufficient and filtration surgery had to be performed immediately. Conclusion The results of th e present study demonstrate that dorzolamid represents an alternative to an immediate surgical management in patients on maximum tolerated t herapy for at least six months.