Effects of 1% topical brinzolamide on intraocular pressure in healthy dogs

ABSTRACT

Background: Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in dogs, and is generally characterized by death of the retinal ganglion cells associated with a rapid loss of vision. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) occurs in patients with primary glaucoma, due to genetic abnormalities in pectinal ligaments and the trabeculae of the iridocorneal angle, producing inadequate drainage of aqueous humor. IOP is the result of the dynamic equilibrium between the production and drainage of aqueous humor. Intraocular surgery, anterior lens luxation, systemic diseases, immune-mediated, neoplastic and infectious diseases lead to the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier and increase the amount of protein and cells in aqueous humor, which can block this drainage pathway. Under these conditions, becomes indispensable the pharmacological control of IOP by reducing aqueous humor production. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of topical 1% brinzolamide on intraocular pressure (IOP) in twelve healthy dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: The age range of affected dogs was 1-5 years, with a mean age of 2.5 years. Twelve dogs were included in this study. All animals were healthy based on clinical, ophthalmic and hematological examinations. Selected animals were kept in a room with 500 lux luminosity, 56.8% relative humidity, 20C temperature, exposed to [...]