Systemic therapy a risk factor for glaucoma development 
and progression

A.M. Getmanova¹, A.Yu. Brezhnev², A.V. Kuroyedov^3,4, V.I. Baranov², A.S. Dvornikov⁴

¹Bryansk Regional Hospital, Bryansk, Russian Federation

²Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russian Federation

³Mandryka Military Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russian Federation

⁴Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation

The prevalence of multimorbidity defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases increases with ageing. Multimorbidity which is associated with a decline in the quality of life and functional abilities results in the increase in the rate of various physiological disorders and hospital treatment and, therefore, growing healthcare costs. Glaucoma treatment, in particular, in elderly patients, is often accompanied by systemic comorbidities and the intake of multiple systemic drugs. Some systemic agents are known to affect the development of glaucoma (i.e., corticosteroids, some of cardiovascular drugs etc.). However, the data on the effect of systemic medications on the levels of intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma progression remain controversial. Understanding the mechanisms of the effects of systemic medications on IOP levels is of crucial importance. Hence, well-designed prospective randomized controlled studies are required to evaluate these effects. This review  paper summarizes published data on the effects of common systemic drugs on IOP levels as well as the risks of the development and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma.

Keywords: glaucoma, systemic medications, risk factors, comorbidity, polypharmacy.

For citation: Getmanova A.M., Brezhnev A.Yu., Kuroyedov A.V. et al. Systemic therapy a risk factor for glaucoma development and progression. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2020;20(4):191–196. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2020-20-4-191-196.