Innovative glaucoma therapy. Glaucoma therapy with topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have been used since 1995 for medical glaucoma therapy, when dorzolamide was approved. In 2000, a second carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, brinzolamide, has become available in most of Europe. Both substances exhibit a comparable intraocular pressure-lowering activitiy, however,the side-effects are somewhat different. In the five years since its introduction, dorzolamide has had a positive risk-benefit-profile. In combination with any other topical agent, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have an additive effect on the reduction of the intraocular pressure. Animal studies suggest that dorzolamide may improve ocular blood flow indepedent of the intraocular pressure; however, the significance for human glaucoma remains to be established.