Purpose: To compare the ocular
discomfort, based on stinging and burning of Brinzolamide 1.0% (BZ) to
Dorzolamide 2.0% (DZ) when dosed TID for one week in patients with primary
open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Methods: A four unit ocular discomfort scale (0= no discomfort, 1= mild
discomfort, 2= moderate discomfort, 3= severe discomfort and 4= very severe
discomfort) was utilized to compare the ocular comfort following dosing with BZ
and DZ. In total, 198 patients
with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension received either BZ TID
(n=100) or DZ TID (n=98) for one week. To familiarize the patient with the
discomfort scale, a screening comfort evaluation was conducted using the
patient’s current glaucoma medication.
The same four unit discomfort evaluation was conducted at the end of one
week of dosing with masked medication.
Results: Dosing with BZ resulted in a statistically (p<0.0001) lower ocular
discomfort score (0.2 to 0.4 units) compared to DZ (1.5 to 1.7 units) resulting
in a 1.3 unit difference. A significantly (p<0.001%) greater percentage of
patients experienced no ocular discomfort with BZ (71 to 81%) compared to DZ
(17 to 20%). A comparison of the frequency distribution of ocular discomfort
demonstrated a significant difference (p=0.001) between the groups with the DZ
group having greater percentages of mild, moderate, severe and very severe
discomfort compared to BZ.
Conclusions: BZ TID was both statistically and
clinically significantly more comfortable than DZ TID. The superior ocular
comfort of BZ may result in a dosing compliance advantage over DZ.