Short-term effect of topical brinzolamide on human central corneal thickness

To investigate the effect of short-term brinzolamide application on human central corneal thickness (CCT).

Seventeen eyes of 16 patients who underwent neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy were included in the study group. Twenty-two subjects served as controls. Brinzolamide twice daily and fluorometholone four times daily were initiated after the procedure. Corneal thickness was evaluated with an ultrasound pachymetry from the central region. CCT measurements were performed before the procedure, at first day, and at the end of first week.

The mean baseline CCT value was 535.1+/-37.8 micronm. In comparison to the control group (546.4+/-22.2 micronm), there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.248). After brinzolamide instillation, the mean CCT values at first day and at first week was measured as 545.1+/-40.1 micronm and 538.8+/-39.4 micronm, respectively. The difference at first day was statistically significant when compared to the baseline values (p=0.00017). When compared to the control group, no statistically significant difference was observed for the mean CCT values of the first day and first week (p=0.906 and p=0.484, respectively). In the fellow eyes, mean CCT values increased following the dorzolamide instillation (529.3+/-42.6 micronm, 534+/-41.7 micronm, and 533+/-41.9 micronm, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed between the control group and fellow eye group when compared (p=0.162, p=0.247, p=0.270, respectively).

Brinzolamide may cause a short-term increase in the human CCT, particularly on the first day.