%0 Journal Article %T Comparing the effects and safety of dorzolamide hydrochloride + timolol maleate versus brimonidine after neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser capsulotomy posterior capsule opacification. %A Çakmak K %A Erbil H %A Mesci C %A Korkmaz Ş %J Eur J Ophthalmol %V 0 %N 0 %D Nov 2021 18 %M 34791912 %F 1.922 %R 10.1177/11206721211052163 %X OBJECTIVE: Posterior capsular opacification is treated using neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser capsulotomy that leads to increased intraocular pressure. Here, we compare the effects of dorzolamide hydrochloride + timolol maleate versus brimonidine on intraocular pressure. We also investigate their side effects after neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser capsulotomy. In these patients, there are no prior studies comparing the results of these two drugs.
METHODS: Ninety patients with posterior capsule opacification contributed to the study. They received yttrium aluminium garnet laser capsulotomy. After yttrium aluminium garnet laser capsulotomy, they were randomized into three groups. Group 1 received dorzolamide hydrochloride + timolol maleate; Group 2 took brimonidine; and Group 3, the control group, took no drug. Group 1 took dorzolamide hydrochloride + timolol maleate eye drops 1 h before the procedure and on the third hour of the first day and two times per day between the second and the seventh days. Group 2 took brimonidine eye drops 1 h before the procedure and on the third hour of the first day, two times per day between the second and the seventh days.
RESULTS: Brimonidine had a similar side effect profile to the fix combination. Intraocular pressure on the first (p = 0.87) and third days (p = 0.124) were similar in Group 1 (dorzolamide hydrochloride + timolol maleate), Group 2 (brimonidine) and the control group. The mean intraocular pressure value of the control group was significantly higher than Groups 1 and 2 because the anti-glaucomatous effects of the drugs become prominent on the seventh day (p = 0.041). In Group 1 and Group 2, intraocular pressure was significantly lower than the control group on the seventh day (p = 0.041). Stinging, itching, hyperemia and Tyndall rates were similar in Group 1, Group 2 and the control group. Watery eyes were less common in the brimonidine group than in the dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate and the control groups on the seventh day (p = 0.02). Brimonidine also significantly lowered the chemosis rate on the third (p = 0.04) and seventh (p = 0.03) days.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that brimonidine and a combination of dorzolamide + timolol are similarly effective at reducing eye pressure for routine cases. In cases where intraocular pressure attacks might be at higher risk, using the dorzolamide + timolol combination would be more appropriate.