Effect of dorzolamide compared with timolol maleate on the central corneal thickness and endothelial-cell count of glaucomatous eyes
Ernesto D. Golez III, MD, Manuel B. Agulto, MD, Margarita L. Luna, MD
Objective
This study determined the effect of topical dorzolamide versus timolol on central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial-cell count of glaucomatous eyes.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 37 eyes of 37 patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, normotensive glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, who may or may not be on antiglaucoma medication, and with a cup-disc ratio of <0.8 and visual acuity of 6/60 or better. All patients underwent baseline ophthalmic examination and were randomized to receive either timolol or dorzolamide instilled twice daily. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured at baseline, day 1, week 1, week 2, and week 4 of treatment. Endothelial-cell count was measured at baseline and at week 4 of treatment.
Results
Thirty-four of 37 eyes were included in the analysis. The mean baseline CCT of the dorzolamide group was higher (533.9 µm ± 35.6) than that of the timolol group (511.4 ± 23.8, p = 0.02), and the difference was statistically significant. A comparison of the effect of dorzolamide versus timolol on the change in CCT over the four-week period did not show any statistically significant difference. Endothelial-cell count after 4 weeks of treatment was not statistically different between the groups. Correlation between mean IOP and mean CCT in each group was maintained during the treatment.
Conclusion
Dorzolamide did not cause a significant change in CCT and and endothelialcell count over 1 month of treatment.
Keywords: Dorzolamide, Central corneal thickness, Glaucoma, Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor