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Continued use of dorzolamide for the treatment of cystoid macular oedema in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr G A Fishman
University of Illinois at Chicago Eye Center, University of Illinois at Chicago (M/C 648), 1855 W Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; gerafish{at}uic.edu

ABSTRACT
Aim: To determine the value of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for extended treatment of cystoid macular oedema (CME) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Method: Eight patients with RP and foveal cystic-appearing lesions observed on fundus examination and by optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing were treated with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Results: Foveal cystic-like spaces were documented by OCT testing in all eight patients before treatment. All patients had a significant reduction in their foveal thickness (FT) and foveal zone thickness (FZT) in at least one eye after using 2% dorzolamide three times a day for 1 or 2 months. Six patients had an improvement in both eyes. After an additional 6–13 months of the same treatment regimen, out of six patients who had a sustained reduction in FT and FZT in at least one eye, four had this reduction in both eyes. While they were still taking Trusopt, a recurrence (rebound) of CME in both eyes was observed in two patients, whereas one patient had a sustained improvement in one eye and rebound of CME in the other eye. Out of 8 patients, 3 showed an improvement in their visual acuity by 7 letters, in at least one eye, on Snellen acuity charts, which was determined as clinically significant.

Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that patients with RP could potentially sustain a beneficial effect from continued treatment with a topical form of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Abbreviations: BCVA, best-corrected visual acuity; CME, cystoid macular oedema; FT, foveal thickness; FZT, foveal zone thickness; OCT, optical coherence tomography; RP, retinitis pigmentosa

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