ABSTRACT
We investigated the effects of 1%brinzolamide on intraocular pressure (IOP)and peripapillary and optic nerve head (ONH)microcirculation with Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter (HRT)in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension. Primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients (60 eyes 60 person)were divided into 2 groups named A and B.In group A, patients had 1%brinzolamide and beta-blocker (30 eyes 30 person).In group B, patients had beta-blocker only (30 eyes 30 person).IOP and peripapillary and ONH microcirculation were measured before, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after instillation and adverse effects were monitored. In group A, the rate of IOP decrease was 15.5%at 8:00 AM after 1 week of instillation, 17.6%at 4:00 PM after 1 week of instillation, 20.8%at 8:00 AM after 3 months of instillation, 20.8%at 4:00PM after 3 months of instillation, which were statistically significant.The adverse effects were rare including bitter tasting (3 eyes), transient visual disturbance (2 eyes), foreign body sensation (1 eye), etc.But there was no stastically significant change of microcirculation in both groups (P>0.05). We concluded that 1%brinzolamide had good effect for IOP decrease as an adjuvant medication to the beta-blocker.Moreover, long term and further evaluations are considered to be necessary.