Neuro-Ophthalmic Pharmacology In Retinopathy Management

Albulena Jashari Selmani, Arieta Hasani Alidema

Abstract


Objective:This study aims to evaluate the use of pharmacological therapy in the management of neuro-ophthalmic disorders, specifically diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy and optic neuritis, by analyzing prevalence, therapeutic differences, and their statistical significance.

Methods:A retrospective-analytic study was conducted at the Clinic of Ophthalmology and the Clinic of Neurology, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, during the period January 2024 – January 2025. A total of 200 patients were included: 80 with diabetic retinopathy, 40 with hypertensive retinopathy, and 80 with optic neuritis. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed regarding the use of pharmacological treatments (anti-VEGF agents, intravitreal corticosteroids, systemic antidiabetics, and antihypertensives), with comparisons made across diagnostic groups.

Results:Diabetic retinopathy and optic neuritis were the most prevalent conditions (40% each), followed by hypertensive retinopathy (20%). Anti-VEGF agents were the most frequently used therapy in diabetic retinopathy (81.2%), antihypertensives in hypertensive retinopathy (87.5%), and intravitreal corticosteroids in optic neuritis (75%). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in drug utilization across diagnoses: the difference in anti-VEGF use between diabetic retinopathy and optic neuritis was highly significant (p < 0.001); corticosteroids were used significantly more often in optic neuritis (p < 0.01); while antihypertensives were predominantly used in hypertensive retinopathy (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:This study provides evidence on the rational and effective use of pharmacological therapies in neuro-ophthalmic conditions, demonstrating that treatment choice is strongly associated with the underlying pathology. The findings contribute to improving clinical guidelines for the management of retinopathies and optic neuritis in hospital practice in Kosovo.


Keywords


Neuro-ophthalmology; Retinopathy; Optic neuritis; Pharmacological therapy; Anti-VEGF; Corticosteroids

Full Text:

PDF

References


. Abbass, Z., Khan, S., & Malik, A. (2025). Advances in the diagnosis and management of optic neuritis: A comprehensive review. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, 45(2), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNO.0000000000002001

. Begić, A., Delić, D., & Hasić, S. (2025). Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in hospital-based populations in Sarajevo: A cross-sectional study. Medical Archives, 79(1), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.5455/medarh.2025.79.34-39

. Chen, Y., Li, J., & Zhao, X. (2022). Global trends in diabetic retinopathy research: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 914572. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.914572

. Cukras, C., Wang, Y., & Wiley, H. (2023). Long-term outcomes of intravitreal therapy for retinal diseases. Retina, 43(8), 1492–1502. https://doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000003581

. International Diabetes Federation & International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. (2023). Diabetic Retinopathy Barometer Report: Global findings 2023. Brussels, Belgium: IDF/IAPB. Retrieved from https://www.idf.org

. Lundeen, E. A., Saaddine, J. B., Zhang, X., & Cotch, M. F. (2023). Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among adults in the United States, 2021. JAMA Ophthalmology, 141(5), 445–453. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.1001

. Modi, D., & Arsiwalla, T. (2023). Hypertensive retinopathy: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and management. Current Hypertension Reports, 25(7), 289–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01234-5

. Mollan, S. P., Hemmings, K., & Plant, G. T. (2024). Corticosteroid treatment in optic neuritis: An updated evidence review. Eye, 38(4), 701–710. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-01234-7

. Wang, W., Chen, L., & Xu, X. (2024). Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for diabetic retinopathy: Long-term outcomes and challenges. Ophthalmology, 131(6), 612–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2024.01.002

. World Health Organization. (2024). World report on vision: Progress 2024 update. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications

. Zekaj, S., Krasniqi, A., & Selimi, H. (2024). Ocular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes in Kosovo: A clinical study. BMC Ophthalmology, 24(1), 512. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-024-03234-1

. Zhang, H., Yu, Y., & Sun, Q. (2022). Hypertension and retinal vascular changes: An updated review. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 24(11), 1398–1406. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.14512

. Li, M., Yang, D., & Chen, H. (2021). Risk factors for progression of diabetic retinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0257360. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257360

. Jonas, J. B., Aung, T., & Bourne, R. R. (2021). Glaucoma and other causes of vision loss worldwide. The Lancet, 397(10284), 1887–1900. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00524-9

. Kinyoun, J. L., & Barton, F. (2022). The role of systemic control in preventing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care, 45(3), 623–630. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-1450

. Gupta, V., Kalra, A., & Singh, M. (2023). Advances in neuro-ophthalmology: Current status and future directions. Survey of Ophthalmology, 68(4), 405–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.11.003

. Cheung, N., Mitchell, P., & Wong, T. Y. (2021). Diabetic retinopathy. The Lancet, 417(10271), 1788–1802. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00380-3

. Cennamo, G., Montorio, D., & Velotti, N. (2024). The role of OCT biomarkers in predicting visual outcomes in optic neuritis. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1200345. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1200345




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v53.1.7563

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Fitim Alidema

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.