Ocular pulse amplitude and dorzolamide

Ocular perfusion is increasingly being discussed in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The present study was designed to investigate ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with elevated intraocular pressure (HTG) and nonglaucomatous controls (CTL) following topical application of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor dorzolamide. Methods: OPA (Ocular Blood Flow System, OBF labs UK) intraocular pressure (IOP), heart rate (HR), and systolic (BPsyst) and diastolic (BPdiast) bronchial artery pressures were measured before and 2 days after initiating treatment in 33 cataract patients with (n = 14) and without (n = 19) POAG. Results: Following application of dorzolamide, IOP (mmHg) in drug-treated HTG and CTL eyes was highly significantly reduced (p<0.001) and in vehicle-treated HTG and CTL eyes significantly reduced (p<0.03) compared to respective baseline measurements. OPA (mmHg) in drug-treated HTG and CTL eyes was significantly increased (p<0.05) and in vehicle-treated eyes in affected compared to respective baseline measurements. Systemic perfusion parameters were also unchanged. Conclusion: Dorzolamide increased OPA in HTG and CTL eyes. An increase in OPA may improve the prognosis of HTG.