Efficacy of Intraocular Pressure Decrease and Safety after Topical 1%Brinzolamide (Azopt) Instillation on Normal Eyes

Lee, Dong Yeol; Lee, Dong Won; Rho, Sae Heun

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects and side effects of 1%brinzolamide in its single use, and also in combined use with beta-blocker. Eighty normal eyes of 40 persons were randomized and divided into two groups: group A and B,20 persons each. In group A, patients had brinzolamide on unilateral eyes (subgroup A-1), and normal saline on the contralateral eyes (subgroup A-2). In group B, patients had 0.5% timolol and 1%brinzolamide on unilateral eyes and 0.5% timolol only on the contralateral eyes. IOP was measured before, 1/2,1,2,4 and 8 hours after instillation, respectively, and adverse effects were monitored. In both subgroups A-1 and B-1, the decrease of IOP was statistically significant compared with controls between 30minutes and 8 hours after instillation. Subgroup A-1 showed maximal decrease of IOP (22.2%) at 4 hours after instillation,while subgroup B-1 showed maximal decrease of IOP (48.3%) at 2 hours after instillation. Moreover,subgroup B-1 showed 12.1% of additional IOP-lowering effect on the average, compared with subgroup B-2. Out of the few adverse effects reported reported, bitter taste was the most common complaint. Brinzolamide might be used as a single agent or as an adjunct to betablocker for decreasing IOP in glaucoma patients. But further evaluation on more controls and patients of glaucoma or ocular hypertension through longer follow-up is required to support its clinical use.