It is well recognized that the light sense suffers in cases of chronic glaucoma.12 Investigators as long as 30 years ago showed that the light minimum was considerably raised and the dark-adaptation rate retarded in cases of simple glaucoma.11
The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazoleamide (Diamox) has recently found widespread acceptance among ophthalmologists as a new antiglaucoma agent. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of acetazoleamide has a detrimental effect on the dark-adapting function of the eye suffering from glaucoma.
Method and Material
The experiment consisted of periodically determining dark-adaptation curves of six glaucoma patients, all of whom were using pilocarpine therapeutically. Once a satisfactory "base line" curve was obtained, acetazoleamide administration was begun and was continued for varying periods of time and with varying dosages. The accompanying graphs are self-explanatory. It should be pointed out, however, that the points plotted under 0 weeks