A comparison of the effectiveness of dorzolamide and acetazolamide in preventing post-operative intraocular pressure rise following phacoemulsification surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical dorzolamide versus systemic acetazolamide in preventing the intraocular pressure (IOP) spike, following routine phacoemulsification surgery. In this prospective study, 59 eyes (59 patients), undergoing routine phacoemulsification surgery with posterior intraocular implant, were divided into three groups. Group 1 received acetazolamide 250 mg SR orally, immediately post-operatively. Group 2 received one drop of dorzolamide immediately after surgery. Group 3 or control, received neither. The IOP, was checked 4 h, 24 h and 2 weeks post-operatively. When compared with mean baseline pre-operative IOP, the 4 h mean post-operative IOP was slightly higher in the dorzolamide group by a mean of +2.49 mmHg (P = 0.2502). It was significantly higher in the acetazolamide group by a mean of +6.13 mmHg (P = 0.0034) and in the control group by a mean of +11.81 mmHg (P = 0.000). At 24 h the mean IOP in the control group remained significantly elevated by a mean of +5.87 mmHg (P = 0.003). Topical dorzolamide is effective in reducing the early IOP rise during the first 24 h following routine uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery.