Dorzolamide: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When your eye pressure stays too high, it can slowly damage your optic nerve—that’s dorzolamide, a prescription eye drop that lowers intraocular pressure by reducing fluid production in the eye. Also known as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, it’s one of the most common first-line treatments for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Unlike pills that affect your whole body, dorzolamide works right where it’s needed: inside your eye. You put it in as drops, usually two to three times a day, and it starts cutting down the fluid your eye makes, which in turn lowers pressure.

This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protecting your vision. High eye pressure doesn’t hurt at first. You won’t notice it until damage is done. That’s why doctors reach for dorzolamide early. It’s often paired with other drops like timolol or latanoprost to get pressure down faster. And while it doesn’t cure glaucoma, it stops it from getting worse. Many people use it for years without major side effects, though some report a bitter taste in their mouth or mild stinging after applying the drops. That’s normal. What’s not normal? Sudden vision changes or eye pain—that’s when you call your doctor.

Dorzolamide is part of a bigger picture. It doesn’t work alone. It’s used alongside lifestyle changes, regular eye exams, and sometimes surgery. If you’re on dorzolamide, you’re likely being monitored for intraocular pressure, the force inside your eye that, when too high, leads to glaucoma. Your doctor tracks it over time to make sure the drops are doing their job. And if they’re not, there are alternatives—like brimonidine or prostaglandin analogs—that might work better for you. The goal isn’t just to use a drug; it’s to keep your vision stable for decades.

You’ll find posts here that dig into how dorzolamide stacks up against other glaucoma meds, what to do if you miss a dose, and how it interacts with other drugs you might be taking. Some people combine it with beta-blockers. Others switch to it after side effects from older treatments. There’s even info on how it affects people with kidney issues or allergies. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment, and the posts below reflect that. Whether you’re just starting out or have been using dorzolamide for years, you’ll find practical, real-world advice here—not theory, not fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what to watch for.