Continued use of dorzolamide for the treatment of cystoid macular oedema in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Abstract

AIM:

To determine the value of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for extended treatment of cystoid macular oedema (CME) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

METHOD:

Eight patients with RP and foveal cystic-appearing lesions observed on fundus examination and by optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing were treated with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

RESULTS:

Foveal cystic-like spaces were documented by OCT testing in all eight patients before treatment. All patients had a significant reduction in their foveal thickness (FT) and foveal zone thickness (FZT) in at least one eye after using 2% dorzolamide three times a day for 1 or 2 months. Six patients had an improvement in both eyes. After an additional 6-13 months of the same treatment regimen, out of six patients who had a sustained reduction in FT and FZT in at least one eye, four had this reduction in both eyes. While they were still taking Trusopt, a recurrence (rebound) of CME in both eyes was observed in two patients, whereas one patient had a sustained improvement in one eye and rebound of CME in the other eye. Out of 8 patients, 3 showed an improvement in their visual acuity by > or =7 letters, in at least one eye, on Snellen acuity charts, which was determined as clinically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Results from this study suggest that patients with RP could potentially sustain a beneficial effect from continued treatment with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

• Authors: Gerald A Fishman, Marsha A Apushkin
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 91 Issue 6 Pg. 743-5 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0007-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 17215269 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
• Sulfonamides
• Thiophenes
• dorzolamide

Topics

• Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Follow-Up Studies
• Fovea Centralis (pathology)
• Humans
• Macular Edema (drug therapy, etiology, pathology, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Retinitis Pigmentosa (complications)
• Sulfonamides (therapeutic use)
• Thiophenes (therapeutic use)
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity