Dorzolamide: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives Exist

When your eye pressure stays too high, it can damage the optic nerve over time — that’s dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drop used to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. Also known as Trusopt, it’s one of the most prescribed topical treatments for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Unlike pills, dorzolamide is applied directly to the eye, which means fewer side effects system-wide and more targeted results. It doesn’t cure glaucoma, but it slows down the damage by helping your eye drain fluid more effectively.

Dorzolamide works by blocking an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body — the part of your eye that makes fluid. Less fluid production equals lower pressure. It’s often used alone in early cases, but most people combine it with other eye drops like timolol or latanoprost for better control. You’ll typically use it two to three times a day, and while it’s not a fast-acting solution, it’s reliable over time. Many patients notice a drop in pressure within a week, but full effects can take a few weeks to settle in.

It’s not for everyone. If you’re allergic to sulfa drugs, you might react to dorzolamide since it’s a sulfonamide derivative. Common side effects include stinging, bitter taste in the mouth, or blurry vision right after application — these usually fade fast. If your eyes get red, swollen, or you start seeing halos, talk to your doctor. There are other options if dorzolamide doesn’t fit: latanoprost, a prostaglandin analog that increases fluid outflow and is often used as a first-line treatment, or brimonidine, an alpha agonist that reduces fluid production and boosts drainage. Some patients switch between these based on cost, tolerance, or how well their pressure responds.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real-world comparisons, patient experiences, and clinical insights on eye pressure meds — including how dorzolamide stacks up against other treatments, what to expect when combining drops, and how to handle side effects without quitting. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, switching meds, or just trying to understand why your doctor chose this specific drop, the articles here give you clear, no-fluff answers.