[Therapeutic possibilities of stimulating reparative neurogenesis in patients with glaucoma who have recovered from a coronavirus infection]. / Terapevticheskie vozmozhnosti stimulyatsii reparativnogo neirogeneza u patsientov s glaukomoi, perenesshikh koronavirusnuyu infektsiyu.

In patients with glaucoma, the neuroplasticity of retinal cells, their axons and neuroglial elements is pathogenetically reduced, including due to a decrease in the concentration of neurotrophic factors. Coronavirus infections contribute to the damage processes, causing apoptosis of retinal and optic nerve cells. In this regard, the possibility of pharmacological stimulation of the production of these peptides through energy potentiation of the cell mitochondria function, reduction of oxidative stress severity and activation of interneuronal transduction system becomes relevant. PURPOSE: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the severity of oxidative stress, identify changes in the neuroplasticity and reparative ability of the retina in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who have recovered after a coronavirus infection, and are undergoing therapy with the complex drug Cytoflavin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients (mean age 57.2±3.6 years) with advanced POAG compensated by hypotensive agents; all of them recovered from moderate Covid-19 30 to 90 days prior to inclusion in the study. Twenty patients of the main group received therapy with the complex drug Cytoflavin, 20 other patients comprised the control group. In the comparison groups, the concentration of BDNF and CNTF in blood serum (SC) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Overall assessment of oxidative stress was done by high performance liquid chromatography. Studies of the functional activity of the retina were performed using the Tomey EP 1000 electroretinograph according to the standard method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Retinal photosensitivity significantly improved in patients of the main group taking the complex drug Cytoflavin (mD mean after treatment increased from -7.34±0.62 dB to -4.52±0.12 dB (p>0.001), PSD mean decreased from 6.23±0.21dB to 4.27±0.13 dB (p>0.001)); the neural activity of the retina improved according to PERG (the amplitudes of the P50 and N95 components increased from 0.92±0.04 µv to 1.65±0.01 µv and from 1.83±0.06 µv to 2.68±0.01 µv, respectively (p>0.001), the latency of the P50 and N95 components decreased from 53.40±2.51 ms to 49.37±2.22 ms and from 112.40±5.23 ms to 107.4±8.11ms, respectively (p>0.001); the concentration of BDNF increased (from 18.65±5.32 ng/ml to 20.23±4.05 ng/ml (p>0.001)) and the concentration of CNTF in the blood serum decreased (from 3.99±0.37 pg/ml to 1.85±0.02pg/ml (p>0.001)), the severity of oxidative stress decreased (the indicator of oxidative stress decreased by 1.4 times after treatment p>0.001) and the content of antioxidant protection indicators increased: the indicator of antioxidant protection of blood serum increased by 1.4 times, the concentration of superoxide dismutase - by 1.9 times (p>0.001), glutathione peroxidase - by 1.4 times (p>0.001), coenzyme Q10 - by 4.5 times (p>0.001). CONCLUSION: The obtained data can be used to determine the risk of progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in patients with glaucoma who have had a coronavirus infection.

[On refraction shift after trabeculectomy]. / K voprosu ob izmeneniyakh refraktsii posle trabekulektomii.

PURPOSE: To determine the factors affecting the shift of refraction after trabeculectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 42 patients who were examined prior to trabeculectomy and at the following timepoints: 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Examination included tonometry with assessment of corneal biomechanical properties, keratorefractometry with vector analysis, and biometry. The obtained data was processed for regression analysis and to find the possible correlations. RESULTS: All significant correlations between the measured parameters only occur on week 1. Postoperative spherical component of refraction (sphere) correlates negatively both with preoperative axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) (r=-0.699 and r=-0.458, p<0.05) and postoperative AL and ACD (r= -0.767 and r= -0.415, p<0.011). Dependence of sphere on AL is also expressed as a regression model. The magnitude of AL change depends on the magnitude of intraocular pressure (IOP) change (r=0.729, p<0.0001) and correlates negatively with postoperative IOP (r=-0.454, p=0.009) and baseline corneal hysteresis (CH; r= -0.482, p=0.009). Dependence of AL on IOP is also expressed as a regression model. The magnitudes of sphere and cylinder shifts correlate negatively with each other (r=-0.416, p=0.038). Keratometry reveals that the overall cylinder value correlates with the corneal cylinder, and so do the magnitudes of their shifts (r=0.589 and r=0.574, p<0.0001). Dependence of corneal hysteresis on IOP is expressed as a regression model; however, neither tonometric nor biomechanical corneal properties correlate with refraction. CONCLUSIONS: Sphere correlates negatively with AL and ACD. In turn, AL is related to the reduction in IOP. This dependence is likely the most important one for the refraction shift after trabeculectomy. No correlations were found for the change of astigmatism.

Biomineralization of Trabecular Meshwork in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

A new form of open-angle glaucoma has been identified, in which calcification and silicification of the trabecular meshwork is a potentially significant component of outflow obstruction. It is noted that the mineralization of this area is promoted by various disturbances in the acid-base balance in the tissue. The role of melanosomal enzymes in the initiation of the formation of mineral calcium phosphate in trabecular tissue in open-angle glaucoma is considered.

[Accumulation of sulfur and phosphorus in the eye's drainage system in primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Nakoplenie sery i fosfora v drenazhnoi zone glaza pri pervichnoi otkrytougol'noi glaukome.

PURPOSE: To analyze the chemical composition of the sclera and trabecular meshwork in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to assess the impact of corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOP) on the chemistry of the drainage area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Biopsy specimens of the trabecular meshwork (89 specimens) and sclera (41 specimens) obtained from patients with POAG on maximal medical therapy were analyzed to determine the content of certain chemical elements - carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si) and sulfur (S). The elements were selected based on chemical structure target tissue and sensitivity of the method used for analysis. Visualization was performed using the «EVO LS 10¼ (Zeiss, Germany) scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the chemical composition was studied with the «Oxford-X-MAX-50¼ (Oxford, UK) energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation. RESULTS: The IOP of patients with POAG was found to have positive correlation with the total amount of S, P, and Ca in the trabecular meshwork. The accumulation of sulfur-containing compounds associated with pigment granules in trabecular meshwork's tissue was identified. A correlation was determined between the organic and inorganic (mineral) phosphorus content in the trabeculae, and the IOP values. The organic component of phosphorus was better represented than the mineral component in patients with increased IOP. CONCLUSION: In patients with POAG, an increase in the IOP level causes the amount of S associated with pigment granules and the proportion of organic P to increase in the trabecular meshwork, which should be taken into account in the further search for drug therapy that would potentially affect pathologically altered tissue.

[Modern view on normal-tension glaucoma]. / Sovremennyi vzglyad na glaukomu normal'nogo davleniya.

Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy that causes irreversible loss of visual functions. From the clinical point of view, normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is regarded in Russian taxonomy as a clinical form of standard primary open-angle glaucoma in which the IOP values stay within the normal range, but the typical progressive visual functions loss is still present. The results of the latest studies put in question the traditional views of NTG pathophysiology that are based solely on intraocular pressure values. New capabilities of diagnostic visualization of central nervous system have considerably broadened our knowledge of the NTG development mechanisms. This article reviews current understanding of the pathogenesis of NTG and its connection to vascular and immune factors, translaminar pressure difference etc. The review also considers the relationship between glaucoma and cognitive defects associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

[The influence of long-term retinal protective therapy on glaucoma progression according to structural and functional tests]. / Vliyanie dlitel'noi retinoprotektornoi terapii na progressirovanie glaukomy po dannym strukturno-funktsional'nykh issledovanii.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of prolonged neuroprotective therapy on disease progression in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with compensated intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 147 patients with stages I-II POAG (249 eyes) who were randomized into the main (69 patients, 119 eyes) and control groups (78 patients, 130 eyes). Patients of the main group underwent retinalamin treatment course every 6 months. Patients were examined before enrolling and then every 3 months during the 24-months follow-up including optical coherence tomography (OCT; RNFL - retinal nerve fiber layer, NRR - neuroretinal rim, GCL - ganglion cell layer) and static perimetry (MD - mean deviation, PSD - pattern standard deviation). RESULTS: Visual acuity and refraction did not change in either group (p>0.05). IOP increased in the control group (p=0.033). There was no difference between the groups by the 24th month (p=0.87). No MD changes were noted in the main (p=0.45) and control groups (p=0.27). PSD changed in the main (4.84±3.21 and 6.01±2.584 dB in the beginning and the end, respectively, p=0.0004) and the control groups (3.46±2.23 and 5.86±2.26 dB, respectively; p<0.0001). The groups differed in MD and PSD initially (p=0.15; p=0.02) and became equal by the end (p=0.59; p=0.53). RNFL did not change significantly in the main group (p=0.078) and decreased from 83.5±22.47 to 76.7±20.7 µm in the control group (p=0.001); no differences between the groups were noted in the beginning (p=0.276) or in the end of the study (p=0.524). NRR increased in the main group from 222±88.94 to 231±99.3 (p=0.012), and decreased in the control group from 248±87.09 to 234±96.2 (p=0.0006); no differences were found between groups in the beginning or in the end of the study (p=0.109; p=0.909). GCL thickness did not change either in the main, or in the control group (p=0.211; p=0.16), with no difference between the group noted in the beginning or the end of the study (p=0.44; p=0.51). CONCLUSION: Regular treatment with retinalamin arrests the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Longer-term research is required to study its influence on the visual function and the quality of life.

Bioinorganic chemistry of open-angle glaucoma: A review.

At present, physical methods of chemical analysis are constantly improving providing large amount of data on elemental composition of organs and tissues. However, only few works describe the correlation (or the potential connection) between the general or local bioelemental imbalances and specific biochemical reactions that are involved in pathogenesis of certain diseases. This review describes primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) - one of the most common ophthalmic diseases - in terms of elemental chemistry. The authors look into the impact that various subgroups of elements have on passive and active processes of homeostasis regulation and hydrodynamic balance in the eye. Alkaline metals and their analogues (K, Na, Li, Rb, Cs) influence hydrostatics and hydrodynamics by means of both K-Na pumps and osmosis. Alkaline-earth elements and their analogues (Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Be) are involved in biomineralization and intercellular interaction in the drainage areas. Chalcophile metals and their analogues (Zn, Cu, Hg, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Mo, Sb) regulate redox reactions. They are the cofactors of enzymes that support structural homeostasis of the drainage area. Siderophile metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Rh) regulate oxidation-reduction reactions, including those associated with limited nutrition of tissues in glaucoma. The role of amphoteric metals and nonmetals (Al, Si, Ga, V, TI, Sn, Ge, Zr, W) in POAG has not been described properly, but they were noted to participate in mineralization. Structure-forming non-metals and their analogues (N, S, Se, As) are directly involved in the formation of protein and non-protein aggregates that prevent aqueous humor outflow. The specific role of phosphorus in the pathogenesis of glaucoma has not been described previously. The authors analyze the involvement of phosphorus in energy-dependent processes of cellular activity, which are aimed at the reprocessing of aggregates that cause aqueous humor retention.

[Preservative-free fixed combination in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension: the VISIONARY Study (EUPAS22204)]. / Fiksirovannaya kombinatsiya bez konservanta v lechenii pervichnoi otkrytougol'noi glaukomy i oftal'mogipertenzii: issledovanie VISIONARY (EUPAS22204).

Preservative-free fixed combination of 0.0015% Tafluprost and 0.5% Timolol (PF tafluprost/timolol FC) has demonstrated good antihypertensive effect and patient tolerance in randomized controlled clinical trials. PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy, tolerability, and safety of PF tafluprost/timolol FC in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OH) who couldn't tolerate or gave insufficient response to topical beta-adrenoblockers or prostaglandin analogue monotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective multicenter European VISIONARY study (EUPAS22204) included 87 patients from 7 ophthalmological centers in Russia with mean age of 63.9±11.8. Primary endpoint was mean IOP change at month 6. The patients were monitored for changes in in the severity of ocular signs and symptoms. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p<0.0001) reduction of mean IOP from baseline was seen at all study visits: 7.3±5.17 mmHg at week 4, 7.4±5.40 mmHg at week 12, and 7.1±5.10 mmHg at month 6. By month 6, IOP has decreased by 20; 25; 30 and 35% from baseline in 77.0%, 58.9%, 43.7%, and 31.0% of study patients, respectively. Conjunctival hyperemia was significantly reduced at all study visits. Significant reductions in dry eye symptoms (p<0.0010), irritation (p=0.0204) and itching (p=0.0010) were also observed. After 6 months on PF tafluprost/timolol FC, 85.7% of patients described it as easy or very easy to tolerate. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, PF tafluprost/timolol FC provided statistically significant IOP reductions in patients with POAG and OH insufficiently controlled by or intolerant to monotherapy with topical beta-adrenoblockers or a prostaglandin analogue. The highest IOP reduction was seen at week 4 and was maintained over the 6-month study period. There was also a decrease in the severity of symptoms of ocular surface condition.

[Iris shape change and risk of anterior chamber angle closure]. / Izmenenie formy raduzhki i risk zakrytiya ugla perednei kamery.

Potential obstruction of the anterior chamber angle by iris root is a key factor of the pathogenesis of angle-closure glaucoma. Development and adoption of ultrasound biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography in clinical practice have significantly expanded the capabilities of studying the structures of the anterior eye segment in terms of angle closure risk factors through improving visualization depth and quality of examination, including different variants of iris structure and potential changes of its shape in mydriasis. The article reviews various studies dedicated to the progression of primary angle-closure glaucoma and its dependence on the biometric parameters of the eye and changes in pupil size.

[Refractive shift after glaucoma surgery]. / Izmeneniia refraktsii posle antiglaukomnoi khirurgii.

Filtering glaucoma surgery can affect certain biometric features of the eye: it can change the axial length and anterior chamber depth, while redistribution of mechanical tensions in the fibrous tunic can alter the shape of the cornea. Among these changes that affect refraction, reshaping of corneal curvature is the principle one. Contrary to the expectations, and in contrast to changes associated with cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery led to decrease in vertical corneal radius (steepening) and development of the with-the-rule astigmatism. A number of studies helped reveal the features of corneal astigmatism that appears after glaucoma surgery: its power, duration, possibility of horizontal meridian flattening, influence of topical cytostatic drugs and drainage devices, etc. Potential reasons of astigmatism development were suggested: conjunctival incisions and sutures in the limbal area, quantity and strength of flap sutures, intraocular pressure level, shift of fistula edges, tissue contraction after cauterization, etc. The key role in pathogenesis of the refractive shift due to change of corneal curvature may belong to particularities of wound healing in the cornea and sclera: healing in sclera is similar to one of connective tissue - its ultrastructure undergoes aging process followed by change of rigidity. At the same time, the main reason for the development of corneal astigmatism after glaucoma surgery remains unclear.

[Structural and functional changes in the retina of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and compensated intraocular pressure while undergoing retinoprotective therapy]. / Strukturno-funktsional'nye izmeneniia setchatki u patsientov s pervichnoi otkrytougol'noi glaukomoi pri kompensirovannom vnutriglaznom davlenii na fone retinoprotektornoi terapii.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intramuscular Retinalamin for retinoprotection in patients with open-angle glaucoma and normalized intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 180 patients (355 eyes) randomized into the main (n=90) and control groups (n=90). The patients of the main group received intramuscular Retinalamin injections; the course was repeated 6 months later. Patient examination was performed at 1, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Vision acuity did not change in the main group after the treatment courses (p=0.3732, p=0.6862), nor in the control group (p=0.7751). IOP didn't have significant changes during the whole course of the study neither in the main group (p=0.7632), nor in the control group (p=0.3921). MD index in the main group has increased from -5.52±2.76 to -4.82±2.73 dB (measurements from 6 visits: p=0.0391, p=0.0201, p=0.0302, p=0.3708, p=0.0151, p=0.0353). Control group showed negative MD trend (from -3.51±1.84 to -4.60±2.61 dB; p=0.0012). PSD index has changed from 4.63±1.60 to 4.05±1.43 dB (p=0.0081) in the main group, and from 3.73±1.19 to 4.29±1.53 dB (p=0.0027) in the control group. Average thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the volume of neuroretinal rim were stable in both the main (p=0.8039, p=0.9005) and the control groups (p=0.7448, p=0.9620). Ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness remained stable in the main group (p=0.0377), but has decreased in the control group (p=0.0250). P50 amplitude and latency were stable in the main group (6.54±2.61-6.53±2.64 µV, p=0.0479; 48.39±3.69-50.86±4.09 ms, p=0.0271), while in the control group P50 amplitude has decreased (p=0,0031) and the latency has increased (p=0,0194). In the main group, N95 amplitude has stabilized (p=0.0141) with worsened latency (p=0.0492). N95 amplitude in the control group has worsened (p=0.0195), while latency has stabilized (p=0.3401). CONCLUSION: Systemic use of Retinalamin has significant retinoprotective effect confirmed by the dynamics of morphological and functional parameters in patients with POAG and IOP compensation.

[Continuous anti-glaucoma drug therapy as a risk factor of dry eye]. / Dlitel'naia terapiia protivoglaukomnymi preparatami kak faktor riska razvitiia sindroma sukhogo glaza.

A preservative is a mandatory component of the eye drops designed to prevent microbial contamination in an opened bottle. Most of the preservative agents are either detergents, or oxidants; the most widely used and well-studied preservative - benzalkonium chloride - is a detergent. Due to regular usage of glaucoma eye drops, cytotoxic impact of the preservatives on anterior eye surface is considered the principal cause of its pathology, which leads to a decrease in quality of life. The high cost of preservative-free pharmacological forms and the complicated process of developing new preservatives make the usage of eye drops with minimal required concentration of preservative agent and a moistening component a good compromise. The most commonly utilized moistening component is polyvinyl alcohol - synthetic polymeric hydrogel, which is also used in artificial tears and bioengineering.

[Hypotensive efficacy of bimatoprost in monotherapy of primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Gipotenzivnaia éffektivnost' bimatoprosta v monoterapii pervichnoi otkrytougol'noi glaukomy.

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of monotherapy with bimatoprost in patients with decompensated intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 90 patients (132 eyes) with stage I-II glaucoma and decompensated IOP previously treated with timolol, latanoprost and travoprost were included in the study. Average IOP at the beginning of the study was 25.4±2.5 mmHg. All patients had their hypotensive medications substituted by bimatoprost. The patients were examined during the initial appointment, as well as after 4 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: IOP decrease was highest in the group of patients who had been treated with timolol: initially IOP was 26.2±1.8 mmHg, after 4 weeks - 21.0±2.2 mmHg, after 12 weeks - 20.8±1.9 mmHg (p<0.001). The initial IOP of patients who had been treated with latanoprost was 24.8±2.9 mmHg, 21.8±2.4 mmHg after 4 weeks, and 21.6±2.3 mmHg after 12 weeks (p<0.001). Patients who had been treated with travoprost had 25.6±2.2 mmHg initially, 23.0±2.5 mmHg after 4 weeks, and 23.2±2.6 mmHg after 12 weeks (p<0.001). By the end of the study IOP has decreased by 5.4, 3.2 and 2.4 mmHg in the groups of patients who had been treated with timolol, latanoprost and travoprost, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bimatoprost can be used as monotherapy if another hypotensive drug in monotherapy is insufficient for IOP compensation.

[XEN-45 Gel Stent implant in glaucoma treatment]. / Mikroshunt XEN-45 dlia lecheniia glaukomy.

The XEN-45 drainage implant is a hypotensive device made of hydrophilic gelatin and stabilized by glutaraldehyde. The implant is designed for modern Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). Being installed ab interno, the stent drains aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber into the subconjunctival space. According to indications, XEN-45 can be used in treatment of primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation or pigment glaucoma with uncompensated intraocular pressure amid maximum tolerated hypotensive therapy, and refractory glaucoma including cases with history of unsuccessful surgery. The implant can also be effectively used in combination with phacoemulsification. The article describes the structure and implantation process of the XEN drainage and reviews existing clinical trials on its effectiveness. The article also presents results on hypotensive efficacy of the implant, as well as characteristics and complications of postoperative management.

[Optical coherence tomography for examination of glaucoma surgery site]. / Vozmozhnosti opticheskoi kogerentnoi tomografii v issledovanii zony khirurgicheskogo vmeshatel'stva antiglaukomnoi operatsii.

The article reviews the results of using optical coherence tomography (OCT) - a non-invasive non-contact examination method for obtaining a tomographic slice image of the site of glaucoma surgery. The method helped reveal the functional relationships between the newly created outflow pathways and various parameters of the filtering bleb such as its linear dimensions, wall structure, presence of microcysts, position of drainage, etc. Due to its high resolution and noninvasiveness, OCT can be reliably used to examine the structure of aqueous outflow pathways in different postoperative periods with accuracy close to morphometric. The amount of data that had been obtained with the method has allowed the creation of new classifications and clarification of OCT-relevant prognostic signs for glaucoma surgery site.

[Influence of cataract phacoemulsification on eye hydrodynamics in patients with prior trabeculectomy]. / Vliianie fakokhirurgii na gidrodinamiku glaza posle predshestvuiushchei sinustrabekuléktomii.

At present, phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy are the most widespread surgery methods in cataract and glaucoma treatment, generally recognized as the gold standard. Among elderly patients, comorbid glaucoma and cataract are extremely prevalent, so the order of the two surgeries and the time interval between them are pivotal choices when planning treatment strategy. The reason for it is that almost any eye surgery is considered a risk factor for long-term trabeculectomy effectiveness. In attempts to solve this problem, numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of cataract surgery on filtration bleb scarring. The problem of determining the time interval between surgeries, as well as other treatment nuances, remains relevant despite the long history of research and publications. Some results are cited as general recommendations on treatment tactics (increasing the time interval between operations, using antimetabolite and anti-inflammatory therapy, minimizing intraoperative traumatism). However, currently there are no specific recommendations for one of the most important factors - the time interval between cataract extraction and trabeculectomy.

[The role of fixed dose combinations in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Rol' fiksirovannykh kombinatsii lekarstvennykh sredstv v lechenii otkrytougol'noi glaukomy.

A great number of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma require combination therapy with several hypotensive drugs of different pharmacological groups to efficiently compensate the intraocular pressure (IOP) and prevent further development of glaucoma. Although glaucoma treatment usually starts with monotherapy, several preparations administered simultaneously have stronger hypotensive effect further increased by their additive action. However, the increased frequency of instillations may lead to drug washout and decreased patient compliance. Fixed dose combinations (FDCs) are a pharmacological form of eye drops that combines two or more active drugs in a single dosage form. The frequency of FDCs administration does not exceed two per day, which is convenient for long-term application and helps improve patient compliance. FDCs tolerability tends to be higher than that of simultaneous instillations of separate monotherapy drugs, while the hypotensive in clinical trials is comparable, in some real practice trials is superior. A review of existing studies showed that FDCs are superior to monotherapy in terms of cost-effectiveness. The use of FDCs was found to be beneficial for glaucoma treatment from the viewpoints of both reaching the target IOP for preserving visual functions in glaucoma patients, and minimizing the long-term treatment costs.

[Reasons to reconsider interpretation of densitometry for corneal transparency]. / O neobkhodimosti peresmotra interpretatsii dannykh densitometricheskoi otsenki prozrachnosti rogovitsy.

AIM: To assess the effect of light scattering in the corneal epithelium on densitometric brightness of the stroma through mathematical modeling of the interaction between a light beam and the two-layer epithelium-stroma system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to study the scattering behavior of a plane-parallel non-coherent beam at the epithelium-stroma interface, a multi-age group was formed (87 patients, 174 eyes) that comprised two subgroups with equal number of assign participants: healthy patients with no systemic changes and mixed patients with undisturbed corneal transparency that, nevertheless, were under instillation therapy. In the first subgroup, the assessment of light scattering was done at random times, while in the second subgroup - within the first 200 seconds after the instillation in order to avoid a reaction of the ocular surface structures, including epithelium (rapid response of epithelial cells to instillations). Light scattering intensity was measured with Pentacam (USA). The densitometric curve and brightness maxima of the epithelium and neighboring stroma as well as the mid and upper stroma were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: A physico-mathematical model of the interaction between a light beam and the two-layer epithelium-stroma system was created. The study confirmed our theoretical CONCLUSION: on the effect size of light scattering intensity on the apparent densitometric brightness of the stroma. CONCLUSION: Direct densitometry of multilayered spherical objects, of which each layer possesses its own optical properties, has been proved inaccurate. Complex optical interactions in a multilayered model cause a false increase in brightness of more transparent layers that lie behind those with pronounced light scattering properties. The function that describes the false increase in scattering ability of the layer that is more transparent rises sharply at the border between the layers.

[Modern methods of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery]. / Sovremennaia mikroinvazivnaia khirurgiia glaukom.

Over the years, glaucoma surgery has improved from iridectomy by A. Graefe and traumatizing procedures performed without magnification tools or microsurgical instrument to high-technology interventions that are not only microscopic, but also pathogenetically oriented. Various modifications of trabeculectomy, initially introduced by J. Cairns back in 1968, had been the gold standard for several decades and were notable for pronounced and stable hypotensive effects. However, there was also a strong association with such complications as choroidal detachment and hyphema, thus, boosting the development of so called nonfistulizing surgeries. Of the latter, the most widely used are non-penetrating procedures, including deep sclerectomy and viscocanalostomy. Although very safe, they appear unable to produce a truly long-lasting hypotensive effect. Moreover, just as fistulizing trabeculectomy, non-penetrating procedures damage the limbus and adjacent conjunctiva reducing the possibility of a second intervention. This fact together with other drawbacks mentioned above, on the one hand, and technical progress, on the other, were essential prerequisites for the appearance of a new type of surgery - minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Parameters that should be met for a procedure to be considered minimally invasive are debated. The main requirement has, however, been established: ab interno approach through a corneal incision. As surgical tools are enhanced and new techniques arise, options for glaucoma treatment widen greatly, ensuring our future move to higher level standards in the field. This review contains all recent data on minimally invasive techniques currently in use in glaucoma surgery or those under investigation. The authors have also analyzed effectiveness reports and present their conclusions regarding the current state of MIGS worldwide.

[Options for prolonging the hypotensive effect of trabeculectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess potential of preoperative therapy with local steroid and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (SAIDs and NSAIDs) for prolonging the hypotensive effect of trabeculectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma planed for trabeculectomy were randomized into 4 groups of 20 each: 3 groups that differed in the studied drug (nepafenac, dexamethasone, or their non-fixed combination) and a control group with no preoperative therapy. The patients instilled 1 drop of either drug b.i.d. for 2 weeks before the surgery and were examined each day of the first week and then at weeks 1, 2, 4 and months 3, 6, and 12. The rate of postoperative surgical and medical interventions (needling, needling revision, hypotensive therapy) was used for outcome evaluation. RESULTS: Postoperative needling was required in 50% of the controls, 35% of the NSAIDs and 30% of the SAIDs patients as well as 20% the combination-therapy patients. Needling revision had to be performed in 10% of patients from the control group and 5% of patients from the NSAIDs group. Patients from the steroid and combination-therapy groups had no need in needling procedure. Further hypotensive therapy was required in 50% of the control group, 35% of the NSAIDs group, 25% of the SAIDs group and 20% of the combination-therapy group. During the first postoperative year complete success of the treatment was achieved in 50% of the controls, 65% of the NSAIDs patients, 75% of the SAIDs patients, and 80% of those under combination therapy. Qualified success during the same period was achieved in 100% of cases. CONCLUSION: Preoperative local anti-inflammatory therapy helped to increase the one-year complete success rate after trabeculectomy as compared with the controls. The most significant hypotensive effect was noted in the combination-therapy group (80%), less significant--in the steroid and non-steroid monotherapy groups (75% and 65% correspondingly). A negative correlation was noted between the use of nepafenac and dexamethasone and other measures aimed at increasing the hypotensive effect of glaucoma surgery.