Treatment of intraocular pressure elevation after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose. To study the effect of timolol maleate, dorzolamide, or a combinat ion of both in post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) eyes with an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after topical steroid administration. Setting. Refractive Surgery Outpatient Department, I st Department of Ophth almology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Methods: Forty-five patients with elevated IOP were randomly enrolled in 3 groups: Group 1 received timolol maleate 0.5% twice a day; Group 2 received timolol maleate 0.5% twice a day and dorzolamide 2% 3 times a day; and Gro up 3 received only topical dorzolamide 2% 3 times a day. Intraocular pressu re was measured 3 days and 1, 3, and 6 weeks after the antiglaucoma medicat ion was started. Results: The mean preoperative IOP was 15.25 mm Hg +/- 1.28 (SID). Followin g administration of topical fluorometholone, the IOP increased a mean of 27 .39 +/- 2.88 mm Hg. Six weeks after the antiglaucoma therapy was started, t he mean IOP reduction was 6.6 mm Hg in Group 1, 8.86 mm Hg in Group 2, and 4.64 mm Hg in Group 3. Conclusions: A combination therapy of timolol 0.5% and dorzolamide 2% was m ost effective in treating secondary IOP elevation after PRK Dorzolamide alo ne did not adequately control secondary post-PRK IOP elevation. (C) 2001 AS CRS and ESCRS.