Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska

Dr. Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska

Glaucoma department, Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 January 2019 in European Journal of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
VJVesna Dimovska Jordanova
Vesna Dimovska Jordanova
Purpose: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of self-measurement of intraocular pressure using Icare Home rebound tonometer with Goldmann applanation tonometer and assess acceptability of self-tonometry in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods: In the study, 117 subjects were trained to use Icare Home for self-measurement. Icare Home tonometer readings were compared with Goldmann applanation tonometer, including one eye per patient. Agreement between the two methods of measurement was evaluated by Bland and Altmann analysis. Questionnaire was used to evaluate patients’ perception of self-tonometry. Results: One hundred and three out of 117 patients (88%) were able to measure their own intraocular pressure and 96 (82%) fulfilled the requirements for certification. The mean (SD) difference Goldmann applanation tonometer minus Icare Home was 1.2 (2.4) mmHg (95% limits of agreement, –3.4 to 5.9 mmHg). The magnitude of bias between the two methods depended on central corneal thickness, with greater bias at central corneal thickness <500 µm. In 65 out of 96 subjects (67.7%), Icare Home results were within 2 mmHg of the Goldmann applanation tonometer. Seventy-three out of 93 (78.5%) felt that self-tonometry was easy to use and 75 patients (80.6%) responded that they would use the device at home. Conclusion: Icare Home tonometry tends to slightly underestimate intraocular pressure compared to Goldmann applanation tonometer. Most patients were able to perform self-tonometry and found it acceptable for home use. Measurements using rebound self-tonometry could improve the quality of intraocular pressure data and optimize treatment regimen.

1 May 2019 in Clinical Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Purpose: To determine the value of self-monitoring of diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) by Icare Home rebound tonometer in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods: Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, controlled IOP at office visits, and at least 3 years of follow-up in the glaucoma clinic were included. Progression of glaucoma was based on medical records and defined by documented structural and/or visual field change. Patients were trained to correctly perform self-tonometry and instructed to measure diurnal IOP in a home setting for 3 days. IOP characteristics (mean, peak IOP, fluctuation of IOP as range, and SD of IOP) were documented and compared between the progressive and stable eyes. Results: Ninety-four patients (50 females) with a mean (SD) age of 57.1 (14.7) years were included. Among the 94 eyes from 94 subjects, 72 (76.6%) eyes had primary open-angle glaucoma, ten (10.6%) had pigmentary glaucoma, four (4.3%) had exfoliative glaucoma, and eight (8.5%) eyes had ocular hypertension. Thirty-six eyes showed progression and 58 eyes were stable. Patients with progression were older than those with stable disease (mean (SD) 65.8 (8.4) years vs 51.7 (15.3) years, P<0.001). The progression group had higher average IOP (mean (SD) 15.8 (4.0) mmHg vs 13.3 (3.7) mmHg, P=0.002), peak IOP (mean (SD) 21.8 (5.8) mmHg vs 18.6 (4.8) mmHg, P=0.01), and greater IOP fluctuation range (mean (SD) 11.6 (4.8) vs 9.1 (3.5) mmHg, P=0.011) compared to non-progression group. Conclusion: Self-monitoring of IOP using Icare Home tonometry provides more complete data on variability of IOP to assist in the management of glaucoma.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
KGKatja Goričar
Katja Goričar
TBTanja Blagus
Tanja Blagus
VDVita Dolžan
Vita Dolžan
BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms in inflammation and oxidative stress genes on the risk of glaucoma, the patients’ clinical characteristics and the glaucoma phenotype. In total, 307 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled. The control group included 339 healthy Slovenian blood donors. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood. Genotyping was performed for SOD2 rs4880, CAT rs1001179, GPX1 rs1050450, GSTP1 rs1695, GSTM1 gene deletion, GSTT1 gene deletion, IL1B rs1143623, IL1B rs16944, IL6 rs1800795 and TNF rs1800629. We found a nominally significant association of GSTM1 gene deletion with decreased risk of ocular hypertension and a protective role of IL1B rs16944 and IL6 rs1800629 in the risk of glaucoma. The CT and TT genotypes of GPX1 rs1050450 were significantly associated with advanced disease, lower intraocular pressure and a larger vertical cup–disc ratio. In conclusion, genetic variability in IL1B and IL6 may be associated with glaucoma risk, while GPX and TNF may be associated with the glaucoma phenotype. In the future, improved knowledge of these pathways has the potential for new strategies and personalised treatment of glaucoma.

Verified
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QDQëndresë Daka
Qëndresë Daka
NSNina Spegel
Nina Spegel
Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
TSTjaša Steblovnik
Tjaša Steblovnik
MKMiriam Kolko
Miriam Kolko
BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
A short-term increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) is a common side effect after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, but a sustained increase in IOP with the development of secondary glaucoma has also been reported in some studies after repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the possible pathophysiological mechanisms and factors contributing to a sustained rise in IOP, as well as treatment strategies for patients at risk. Close monitoring and adjustable IOP-lowering treatment are recommended for high-risk patients, including those with glaucoma, angle-closure anomalies, ocular hypertension or family history of glaucoma; patients receiving a high number of injections or at shorter intervals; and patients with capsulotomy. Strategies are needed to identify patients at risk in a timely manner and to prevent sustained elevation of IOP.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
KGKatja Goričar
Katja Goričar
TBTanja Blagus
Tanja Blagus
VDVita Dolžan
Vita Dolžan
BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
In open-angle glaucoma, the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) is caused by an increased resistance to aqueous humour outflow in the trabecular meshwork. Since genetic variability of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes may influence extracellular matrix remodelling, we investigated their association with glaucoma risk and/or response to treatment. The retrospective part of the study included patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT); in the prospective part of the study, newly diagnosed patients with POAG or OHT were randomised to receive either latanoprost or selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as the initial treatment. The reduction in IOP was measured 6 weeks after treatment. The following MMP single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped: MMP2 rs243865, rs243849, and rs7201; MMP3 rs3025058; MMP9 rs17576, rs17577, rs20544, and rs2250889; MMP14 rs1042704, rs1042704, and rs743257. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios to assess the association between MMP polymorphism and risk of POAG or OHT, glaucoma phenotypes and response to treatment. Only carriers of the MMP3 rs3025058 TT genotype had a significantly higher risk of OHT, more advanced glaucoma, and a higher C/D ratio in the additive and dominant models. None of the investigated MMP polymorphisms were associated with response to treatment with latanoprost and SLT in our study population.

21 February 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
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QDQëndresë Daka
Qëndresë Daka
MHMaja Šuštar Habjan
Maja Šuštar Habjan
AMAndrej Meglič
Andrej Meglič
DPDarko Perovšek
Darko Perovšek
Makedonka Atanasovska VelkovskaMakedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
Makedonka Atanasovska Velkovska
BCBarbara Cvenkel
Barbara Cvenkel
(1) Background: Given the global prevalence of glaucoma and the crucial role of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in the management of the disease, understanding the immediate effects on retinal structure and function is essential. (2) Methods: This study aimed to assess the effects of preservative-free latanoprost on morphological and functional parameters in treatment-naïve patients with ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. (3) Results: This study showed a significant reduction in IOP by an average of 30.6% after treatment with preservative-free latanoprost. Despite the significant reduction in IOP, no statistically significant changes were observed in the electroretinogram (ERG) nor the optical coherence tomography/angiography (OCT/OCTA) parameters compared to baseline. An exploration of the correlation between IOP changes and various parameters revealed a significant association solely with the macular IPL/INL plexus vessel density (VD) measured with OCTA. (4) Conclusions: This finding suggests a possible association between IOP reduction and changes in the macular microcirculation and provides valuable insights into the differential effects of latanoprost. Acknowledging the study limitations, this study emphasizes the need for larger, longer-term investigations to comprehensively assess the sustained effects of preservative-free latanoprost on both IOP and retinal parameters. In addition, exploring systemic factors and conducting subgroup analyses could improve personalized approaches to glaucoma treatment.