Metal complexes of a sulfonamide possessing strong carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory properties have been obtained from the sodium salt of the sulfonamide or from the free sulfonamide in the presence of ammonia, and the following metal ions: Mg(II); Zn(II); Mn(II); Cu(II); Co(II); Ni(II); Be(II); Cd(II); Pb(II); Al(III); Fe(III) and La(III). The original sulfonamide, 5-(3,4-dichlorophenylureido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide and its complexes were assayed for in vitro inhibition of three CA isozymes, CA I, II and IV, some of which play a critical role in ocular fluid secretion. All these compounds (the sulfonamide and its metal complexes) behave as very powerful inhibitors against the three investigated CA isozymes. The parent sulfonamide possesses strong topical pressure lowering effects in rabbits when applied as a 1% solution directly into the eye, but some of its metal complexes, such as the Mg(II); Zn(II); Mn(II) and Cu(II) derivatives, lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in experimental animals much better. Ex vivo data showed a 98.5-99.9% inhibition of CA II and IV in ocular fluids and tissues of the rabbits treated with these agents, proving that the IOP lowering properties are due to CA inhibition. The influence of the different metal ions upon the efficiency of the obtained complexes as pressure lowering drugs are discussed, considering the possibility to design in this way more selective pharmacological agents from this class.