A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Cosopt® Versus Xalacom® on Ocular Hemodynamics and Intraocular Pressure in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

Background and Rationale

Apoptosis of retinal ganglion cell has been considered as the most plausible pathogenic mechanism of glaucoma. Apoptosis can be caused by neurotrophic factor withdrawal or glutamate release and both of them are triggered by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and ischemia simultaneously or separately.

The topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, Dorzolamide (Trusopt*), has recently been approved for chronic use in the treatment of glaucoma. The ocular hypotensive effects of this topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor seem likely to produce the same results as *-adrenergic antagonists. Systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are known to have vasodilatory effects (Maren,1987). Rassam S.M.B., Patel V. and Kohner E.M. (1993) have concluded that acetazolamide causes an increase in retinal blood flow in the human retinal circulation. It has also been demonstrated that Trusopt* increases retinal circulation as measured by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) (Harris, Arend, Martin, 1996). Furthermore, Trusopt increases arteriovenous passage (AVP) time and improves contrast sensitivity in normal tension glaucoma patients (Harris, 1999).

Cosopt* (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is combination of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a topical beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent. Each of these two components reduces intraocular pressure. The IOP-reducing effect of Cosopt b.i.d. was greater (1-3 mm Hg) than that of monotherapy with either 2.0 % dorzolamide t.i.d. or 0.5 % timolol b.i.d. The IOP-lowering effect of Cosopt* b.i.d. was approximately 1 mm Hg less than that of concomitant therapy with 2.0% dorzolamide t.i.d. and 0.5 % timolol b.i.d. A previous study showed that the retinal circulation (AVP time) was significantly accelerated after replacing Timoptic* with Cosopt* in glaucoma patients (Harris, 1999).

Latanoprost (Xalatan*) is a prostaglandin F2* analogue which is believed to reduce IOP by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. The retinal vascular effects of Latanoprost, however, remain unclear. While some studies have shown PGF2* to induce constriction in bovine isolated aqueous veins (Nielsen 1996), other studies have been unable to demonstrate an effect on retrobulbar flow velocities (Drance 1996). It is possible that vasoconstrictive properties of the drug may produce a negative impact on previously ischemic retinal tissue or at best no change.