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Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117:1087-1088.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) are an important line of therapy in the treatment of glaucoma. Inhibition of the type II isoenzyme of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary process results in decreased bicarbonate production with a concurrent decrease in sodium and fluid transport. The net effect is substantially decreased aqueous humor production. The limiting factor in the use of oral CAIs has been the numerous systemic adverse effects including paresthesia, a metallic taste, a malaise complex, gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, dermatitis, blood dyscrasias, and renal calculi.¹ For this reason, topical CAIs, which theoretically carry minimal risk for systemic complications, represent a significant medical advancement.² However, there is little information regarding the possible long-term sequelae of these medications and their potential for producing similar systemic adverse effects as their oral counterparts. We describe 3 patients in whom renal stones occurred following the use of dorzolamide. Cessation of the topical CAI . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Report of Cases.

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Corresponding author: Jane Durcan, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132.