Issue 6/2024
Kalfova, N., Kazakova, D., Stojkova, Sl., Kostadinova, A.
Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski
The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has presented a serious challenge to health systems worldwide. Limited access to regular checkups, suspension of routine admissions, as well as the fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection have led to delays in diagnosis and worsening control of a number of chronic diseases. Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy and a major cause of an irreversible, yet preventable blindness. Early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the disease are key factors in delaying glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell damage and providing a better prognosis for the patients. A major risk factor for the development of the glaucomatous process is the elevated intraocular pressure, which determines the main therapeutic approach to be towards lowering this pressure. However, studies in the field of glaucoma pathogenesis have identified a number of other contributing factors that lead to retinal ganglion cell damage regardless of intraocular pressure such as oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, vascular disorders, etc. The multifactorial nature of the disease and its complex pathogenesis necessitate the active development of alternative therapeutic approaches in addition to main therapy, which in some cases does not prove to be sufficiently effective.
Key words: glaucoma, COVID-19, alternative therapeutic approaches
Аddress for correspondation:
Kazakova, D.
Sofia University „Kliment Ohridski“ – Faculty of Medicine;
1, “Koziak”, Str., MBAL „Vita“ – base 1 and 2 Sofia
e-mail: dida_kazakova@hotmail.com