Objective. The aim of this review was to compare the dorzolamide 2% and brinzolamide 1% efficiеncies basing on published evidence-based research data.

Materials and methods. The review included an analysis of publications available through the Google Sсholar search database for the keywords brinzolamide and dorzolamide. The publications with a small number of observations, the publications with unspecified study designs, the publications about the properties of fixed combinations, and the publications comparing effects of any of the above mentioned carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with other groups were excluded.

Results. The review included 11 publications with high evidence. The analysis showed similar efficacies of brinzolamide and dorzolamide. However, the effect on the orbit hemodynamics was more pronounced in dorzolamide than in brinzolamide and the risk of glaucoma progression was two times less than that with brinzolamide. On the other hand, dorzolamide caused greater discomfort than brinzolamide during its administration.

Conclusion. Dorzolamide and brinzolamide are interchangeable drugs that have similar efficacies and each of them has both advantages and disadvantages expressed in the side effects incidence, severity, and duration, differences in effectiveness depending on the dosage regimen, and differences in the effect on orbital hemodynamics. Taking into account that many of the major studies of the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors properties are sponsored by the original drug manufacturers all of the above advantages and disadvantages should be evaluated critically.