Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in glaucoma

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide is administered systemically. In the eye, this drug inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which ultimately decreases the aqueous humour production by reducing the formation of carbonic acid (and therefore bicarbonate). Systemically, this drug acts as a diuretic and causes side effects such as paresthesia, hypokalaemia, lack of appetite, drowsiness, and depression.

Brinzolamide and dorzolamide are locally applied carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and thus hardly cause systemic changes in electrolyte or acid-base balance.