Konstantina Kancheva

Dr. Konstantina Kancheva

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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23 December 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KKKonstantina Kancheva
Konstantina Kancheva
MRMladena Radeva
Mladena Radeva
Igor B. ResnickIgor B. Resnick
Igor B. Resnick
ZZZornitsa Ivanova Zlatarova
Zornitsa Ivanova Zlatarova
Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) provides quantitative assessment of retinal and peripapillary microvasculature and has emerged as a promising tool for glaucoma diagnostics. However, its sensitivity for detecting early glaucomatous progression over short intervals remains uncertain. This study evaluated cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal OCT-A vessel density (VD) metrics in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and explored their relationships with structural (RNFL) and functional (MD) measures. Methods: Sixty eyes (30 POAG, 30 controls) underwent baseline and 6-month examinations including intraocular pressure (IOP), standard automated perimetry (SAP), structural OCT, and OCT-A (RTVue XR Avanti; AngioVue). Parameters analyzed included peripapillary VD (PP-VD), parafoveal VD (PF-VD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) metrics, FD-300, and RNFL thickness. Between-group comparisons used t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and ANCOVA models (adjusted for baseline, age, and sex) were included. Longitudinal change was defined as Δ = 6 months − baseline. Pearson correlations evaluated structure–vascular associations. Results: At baseline, POAG eyes showed significantly lower PP-VD, PF-VD, thinner RNFL, and worse MD (all p < 0.001). Strong correlations were observed between RNFL and PP-VD (r ≈ 0.7). Over 6 months, glaucoma eyes showed small but statistically significant reductions in RNFL (Δ = −1.04 µm), MD (Δ = −0.10 dB), and PP-VD (Δ = −0.57%), whereas controls remained stable. However, the absolute OCT-A changes were small and largely within the known range of test–retest variability. ANCOVA demonstrated a significant adjusted group effect only for PP-VD (B = −1.22%, 95% CI −1.53 to −0.90; p < 0.001). Conclusions: OCT-A demonstrated clear cross-sectional differences between POAG and controls and strong structure–vascular associations. However, with only two measurements over a 6-month interval, the study cannot distinguish true glaucomatous progression from physiological or device-related variability. Short-term changes should therefore be interpreted cautiously. PP-VD remains the most robust and consistent OCT-A parameter, but larger, longer, and prospectively powered studies are required to validate OCT-A as a reliable biomarker for progression.

13 September 2024 in Bulgarian Review of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KKKonstantina Kancheva
Konstantina Kancheva
ZZZornitsa Zlatarova
Zornitsa Zlatarova
Morphological and functional effects of using citicoline in primary open angle glaucoma treatment

14 March 2023 in Bulgarian Review of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KKKonstantina Kancheva
Konstantina Kancheva
ZZZornitsa Zlatarova
Zornitsa Zlatarova
Morphological and functional evaluation of oral nutritional supplements in primary open-angle glaucoma treatment—first results