Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Glaucoma. Review. Part I

Abstract

Glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIS) used both systemically and topically, reduce intraocular pressure effectively. But unlike systemic CAIs, 2 % dorozolamide and 1 % brinzolamide penetrate deeply into the ocular tissues and do not cause systemic effects, so they are widely used in the treatment of glaucoma. The review characterizes various isoforms of carbonic anhydrase, considers the mechanisms of action of the drugs aimed at carbonic anhydrase blocking, and analyzes the results of various studies of 2 % dorzolamide and 1 % brinzolamide, as well as their fixed combinations. The effects of CAIs both as monotherapy and in combination with other antiglaucoma drugs are considered. The analysis of data on the effect of CAIs on ocular blood flow is presented.

Keywords

• carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
• glaucoma
• fixed combinations
• ocular blood flow