SCIENTIFIC REPORT Optic nerve oxygen tension: the effects of timolol and dorzolamide

Background/aims: The authors have previously reported that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide and dorzolamide raise optic nerve oxygen tension (ONPO2) in pigs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether timolol, which belongs to another group of glaucoma drugs called b blockers, has a similar effect. In addition, the effect of dorzolamide and timolol in combination was studied. Methods: Polarographic oxygen electrodes were placed transvitreally over the optic disc in anaesthetised pigs and ONPO2 was recorded continually. Drugs were administered intravenously either as 100 mg timolol followed by 500 mg dorzolamide (n = 5), 500 mg dorzolamide followed by 100 mg timolol (n = 5), or 100 mg timolol and 500 mg dorzolamide given simultaneously (n = 5). Arterial blood pressure, blood gasses, and heart rate were recorded. Results: ONPO2 was unaffected by administration of 100 mg timolol as an intravenous injection (n = 5). Administration of 500 mg dorzolamide by itself significantly increased ONPO2 from 2.96 (SD 0.62) kPa to 3.69 (SD 0.88) kPa (n = 4, p = 0.035). The dorzolamide induced ONPO2 increase was not significantly different from the ONPO2 increases were seen when dorzolamide was administered simultaneous with (n = 5) or 35 minutes (n = 5) after 100 mg timolol. Conclusion: Systemic administration of timolol does not affect the optic nerve oxygen tension despite its lowering effect on the intraocular pressure. Additionally, timolol does not affect the ONPO2 increasing effect of dorzolamide.