Materials and Methods: Eight eyes of 6 patients who had no ocular disease other than RP, and who underwent 1% topical brinzolamide therapy (Azopt™; Alcon) three times a day for macular edema secondary to RP were retrospectively evaluated. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements with Snellen chart and, central macular thickness (CMT) and macular volume (MV) measurements with Stratus optical coherence tomography were performed at the baseline, in the first, and third months of therapy.

Results: Mean age was 38.2±9.7 years. Mean BCVA (LogMAR) at the baseline, in the first and third months of therapy were 0.68±0.36, 0.77±0.39 and 0.76±0.41, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed in visual acuity change, in the first and third months compared with the baseline. (p=0.109, p=0.144, respectively). Mean CMT at the baseline, in the first and third months of therapy were 326.1±48.2 μm, 292.6±40.5 μm and 284.3±46.5 μm, respectively. A statistically significant reduction was observed in the mean CMT in the first and third months compared with the baseline (p=0.017, p=0.025, respectively). Mean MV was 7.3±1.1 μm3 at the baseline, and changed to 6.9±0.9 μm3 and 6.8±0.4 μm3 in the first and third months, respectively (p=0.128 for all).

Conclusion: Although an anatomical improvement with a reduction in CMT was achieved, no improvement was obtained in visual acuity with topical 1% brinzolamide therapy in CME secondary to RP. Keywords : Retinitis pigmentosa, cystoid macular edema, brinzolamide therapy