[Trusopt--a new form of drug for treating glaucoma]

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) have been investigated for topical administration in glaucoma therapy during the past few years. Dorzolamide is the first topical CAI to become available for clinical use. CAI's lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by the inhibition of bicarbonate secretion into the posterior chamber by the ciliary epithelium, thereby suppressing aqueous humor production and lowering the IOP. A topical CAI with ocular hypotensive efficacy is comparable with that of oral agents, but without their systemic effects would represent a major advance in medical treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Data from clinical trials with dorzolamid (Trusopt) have shown this topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to be comparable in efficacy to beta-blockers when used as monotherapy, and as effective as pilocarpine when used as an adjunct to beta-blocker therapy. The aim of this paper was to present the results of long-term clinical and experimental studies with dorzolamid (Trusopt).