Effect of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, 6-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophene-2-sulfonamide, on intraocular pressure in normotensive subjects.

A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out to determine the efficacy of 6-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophene-2-sulfonamide, a potent new carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive volunteers. The drug was administered as a 2% suspension twice daily for 1 week to one eye in 10 subjects. Ten other subjects, serving as controls, received a placebo drop to one eye on the same schedule. Subjects and examiners were unaware of whether the drug or placebo was being used. IOP was measured before the study began and twice daily on days 1, 2, 4 and 8 of the study. The drug had no significant effect on IOP. The most likely explanation is failure of an adequate concentration of the drug to reach the ciliary body.