The effects of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor in treatment of nystagmus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI), brinzolamide (Azopt), for treatment of nystagmus patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who used Brinzolamide for treatment of nystagmus were retrospectively analyzed. 23 patients were included in this study. The patients' diagnosis were idiopathic infantile nystagmus 18 (78.2%) and oculocutaneous albinism in 5 (21.8%). Azopt eye drop was used in both eyes, 3 times a day. Detailed eye examination in all of the patients before treatment and repeated at the end of the first week after treatment. SPSS 16.0 computer program was used for evaluation of DATAs.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 32 ± 28 months. 23 patients 15 (65.2%) were male and 8 (34.7%) were female and the mean age was 12.6 ± 5.5. Before the management of topical brinzolamide, abnormal head position (AHP) were observed in 18 patients. After that we found reduction of nystagmus in 5 (22.7%) of the patients, increase in vision in 9 (40.9%) and reduced AHP in 18.3%. There is no identified change in 4 (18.1%).

CONCLUSION: The medical treatment of nystagmus with topical brinzolamide was found effective in our series but, wider series and longer follow-up studies are needed.