Short-term effect of topical dorzolamide hydrochloride on intrastromal corneal pressure in rabbit corneas in vivo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of topical dorzolamide on the intrastromal corneal pressure (ICP) in rabbit corneas in vivo.

METHODS

This is an interventional prospective study. Topical dorzolamide was applied to 7 eyes of 7 male New Zealand rabbits 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days. The ICP changes were recorded with a pressure transducer connected to the midperipheral cornea. The ICP was measured in the same manner in 7 eyes of 7 male New Zealand rabbits that were treated with artificial tears (control group).

RESULTS

The ICP values averaged -6.2 +/- 3.2, -10 +/- 5.8, and -12.5 +/- 8.7 mm Hg at 15, 30, and 45 minutes in the control group, respectively. In the dorzolamide-treated eyes, the ICP readings were 1.8 +/- 3.4, -0.28 +/- 4.3, and -1.8 +/- 5.3 mm Hg at the same time points, respectively. The differences in the ICP between both groups were significantly different at all time points (P = 0.004, P = 0.005, and P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Measuring ICP is a valid and sensitive method to evaluate in vivo the endothelial function. This method seems to be more sensitive than measuring the central corneal thickness or the corneal deswelling rate in detecting changes in the corneal physiology with the use of topical dorzolamide.