Literature review and meta-analysis of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and ocular blood flow.

The purpose of this literature review and meta-analysis was to determine what, if any, effects topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have on ocular hemodynamics in humans. A literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on ocular blood flow. Thirty-five articles were evaluated according to the inclusion criteria with 13 manuscripts meeting requirements for statistical analysis. Each study's effect size, defined as the change in blood flow measures after treatment with topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, was estimated using the weighted mean difference. Based on this meta-analysis, we conclude that topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increase ocular blood flow velocities in the retinal circulation, central retinal and short posterior ciliary arteries, but not in the ophthalmic artery.