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The paper provides the results of a 15-year following-up of 91 patients with exposed orbital implants made from synthetic and biological materials. Surgery was made in the patients treated at different health care facilities. The authors analyze the causes of implant exposure in different periods. Early after surgery the most common causes of implant exposure are surgical equipment failure (inadequate implant coating with adjacent tissues), a too large implant arching the tissues, and mismatch of an artificial eye. In the late period, the more common cause is secondary infection or the toxic properties ofa material itself, which cause a persistent chronic inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the authors consider the mechanism of implant exposure and rejection depending on the material of an implant. The paper describes medical and surgical treatments in patients of this group.

The paper presents data on demodicosis-induced blepharoconjunctivitis complicated by the dry eye, such as predictors, etiology, and pathogenesis of this disease. It gives a concise outline of the life history of mites and their species parasitizing on the human skin cycle and an extended treatment regimen for blepharoconjunctivitis complicated by the dry eye. The time course of changes in the pathological signs of blepharitis is shown when the latter is treated using the given regimen and the treatment is discontinued. The authors provide the data of Schirmer's test and Norn's test, which have been used to support the results of the present investigation. The mechanism of action of the drugs considered in the paper on the eyelids is outlined. There is a tendency for demodicosis-induced blepharoconjunctivitis to be completely eliminated and the signs of the dry eye to be compensated when meticulously chosen therapy, including hygienic measures, is performed.

The paper describes the methods and results of multimodality treatment for progressive myopia in children and adolescents, by applying acupuncture, massage, and manual therapy. Thirty-three patients aged 7 to 17 years who had progressive myopia of 0.5 to 10.8 diopters were treated by an original procedure as repeated courses. Their follow-up lasted 2 years. A beneficial therapeutic effect as increases in uncorrected and subcorrected visual acuity, ocular accommodation reserves, and myopia regression rates was observed in 64% of the patients. Two-year myopia stabilization was achieved in 45% of cases. There were neither complications nor side effects. The possible mechanism of the remedial effect of the procedure is discussed in the paper.

The paper deals with the analysis of the outcome of severe eye contusion in scleral ruptures that are subject to none or inadequate debridement. In 2004, a group of 85 patients undergone enucleation due to severe posttraumatic changes was examined to analyze the outcomes of misdiagnosis of ruptures of the scleral capsule of the eye in its contusions and penetrating wounds. Examination of the eyeball after its removal revealed different defects of the optic scleral capsule in 6 (8.2%) cases of the 85 patients undergone enucleation. Each case pointing to the undiagnosed pathology of the eye during primary debridement and surgical treatment of these patients or to the partial debridement of scleral wounds is noteworthy. It should be noted that a primary care involving debridement was delivered to virtually all patients in different ophthalmological facilities. The paper gives a detailed account of each case, by describing its history data, the state of the eye, the performed studies and operation, and presents photos demonstrating each case. In eye contusion, it is necessary to adequately evaluate its severity and to reveal the whole complex of injuries and also to pay attention to the quality of debridement of wounds since adequate containment of a wound of the eye and adaptation of its edges can preserve the eye as an organ in most given cases.

The paper presents an analysis of traumas of the orbit combined with craniocerebral trauma in children made according to data obtained at the eye microsurgery department, Morozov's Pediatric City Clinical Hospital. Fractures of the lower orbit wall account for around 70% of all orbit fractures; clinical signs of fractures of the lower orbit wall are defined; computer tomography is shown to be the most informative diagnostic tool. The paper contains indications for plasty of the lower orbit wall. Materials used in orbitoplasty are comparatively analyzed. The use of demineralized osseous implants is preferential.

The paper presents the results of studying the effect of 10% perfluorane (PF) emulsion intravenously injected 1-2 days before surgical treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on the levels of the cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-4 in the serum and subretinal fluid of patients. PF infusion was found to exert an immunomodulatory effect that favored a short-term increase in the serum level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 1beta and IL-6) at week 1 and TNF-alpha on day 1) with their gradual normalization. The subretinal fluid showed recovery of the mechanisms for local immunological reactions; eye inflammation reduced due to the decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines and simultaneously the elevated level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4.

The paper gives the comparative results of infrared exposure, drug and multimodality treatment in partial optic nerve atrophy of varying degrees, as evidenced by Doppler, electrophysiological, and morphometric studies.

The paper describes a case of a type of the manifestation of aveitis associated with an exacerbation of nonspecific ulcerative colitis. Ultrasound diagnostic techniques, such as ultrasound biomicroscopy and B-scanning, evaluate the uveal tract that can no longer be imaged, by using the traditional examination methods. These methods extend diagnostic capabilities and permit an objective monitoring of the status of a patient.

The paper gives the results of comparative assessment of ophthalmoergonomic indicators of the visual system in patients with high-grade myopia after contact correction and within 12 months after phacitic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. A considerable increase in the level of visual analyzer performance was achieved after surgical correction. The found positive changes in visual analyzer performance after phacitic intraocular lens versus contact correction are explainable in the context of physiological optics by the formation of the optimal ocular cornea--phacitic IOL--lens system that ensures great functional reserves for visual perception as a whole as compared with the optical contact lens--cornea--lens system.

The paper gives data of computed tomography in 100 patients (148 orbits) with edematous exophthalmos (lipogenic and mixed types). There is a relationship of the higher degree of exophthalmos to the increased orbital soft tissue contents. A procedure is described for the individual calculation of the amount of removed orbital fat during compressive operations, which considers both the individual features of the anatomic structure and existing exophthalmos.

The study was undertaken to develop an efficient system for prevention and treatment of ophthalmological complications at spontaneous delivery in parturients with peripheral vitreochorioretinal dystrophies and retinal dystrophic detachment. The paper considers the results of a 2-year follow-up of 188 women during pregnancy and puerperal period. No visual changes were revealed in all the cases after both spontaneous delivery and cesarean section (if there are obstetric indications). The findings suggest that timely detection and treatment of menacing types of peripheral vitreochorioretinal dystrophies and retinal detachment considerably reduce the rates of surgical delivery as shown by ophthalmological indications.

The paper presents the results of Ahmed's drainage implanted in 19 patients with different forms of posttraumatic glaucoma: 14 and 5 eyes with contusion and wound glaucoma, respectively. According to its pathogenesis, glaucoma was recessive (8 eyes), uveal (7 eyes), phakotopic (2 eyes), keratoplasty-associated (1 eye), and congenital (1 eye). Neovascular uveal glaucoma was present in 3 cases. Three eyes with uveal glaucoma showed aniridia and aphakia. On admission, the patients had an average of 2.9 +/- 1.6 operations per patient. There was an average of 5.0 +/- 1.3 instillations of antihypertensive drugs at an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 32.6 +/- 5.2 mm Hg (C = 0.07 +/- 0.038). The technique of surgery and its results are described. Complications and methods of their correction are presented. As a result, IOP normalization was achieved in all patients: on last visit it was 13.7 +/- 4.8 mm Hg. The follow-up was 6-16 months; on the day of last visit, the number of antihypertensive agents averaged 1.4 +/- 0.73.

The paper gives the results of surgical treatment in 30 children (30 eyes) aged 2 months to 5 years who had primary persistent hyperplastic vitreous body. A study group (with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation) comprised 12 children (12 eyes). At surgery, the age of 8 babies was 4 to 12 months and that of 4 children was 13 to 36 months). Postoperative follow-ups lasted 6 to 40 months. Flexible lenses were implanted. A control group consisted of 18 children (18 eyes) operated on at the age of 2 months to 5 years (without IOL implantation). Despite severe retinal and optic nerve changes that are the ground to avoid surgical treatment, the authors' findings provide evidence that early primary IOL implantation in children with the primary persistent hyperplastic vitreous body yields satisfactory functional results.

The possibilities of using infrared teleradiothermometry in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory and dystrophic diseases in the eyeball have been studied. The paper presents the physical bases of the technique, the procedure of measurements, and data on superficial eye temperature in health and in some pathological processes.

The paper considers the results of studies into an accommodative response in 75 patients with aphakia and pseudophakia following 3 months of cataract surgery. In pseudophakia, there is no objective recording of changes in both refraction and accommodation on producing an accommodative stimulus of varying size and at varying rates. Nevertheless, astigmatism subgroup patients could read, by using the capacities of the ocular focal region.

The paper specifies indications and success criteria for photodynamic therapy with visudine for classical macular choroidal neovascularization. Three major clinical types of a response to treatment are presented. These include: 1) complete regression of the subretinal neovascular membrane (SNM) with retinal edema resolution; 2) partial regression of SNM with its shift to inactive status that is attended by a significant reduction in pathological transudation from the newly formed vessels; 3) partial regression with the preserved high transudating activity of SNM. There was stabilization of lesion extents and visual functions in types 1 and 2 responses to therapy and a continued SNM growth and progressive visual worsening in type 3 response.

Macular drusen are known to be a major risk factor of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) of the retina. The use of laser coagulation of macular drusen to prevent the progression of a dystrophic process remains to be disputable question so far. This paper presents the clinical and functional results of laser coagulation of macular drusen in 30 patients with bilateral retinal ARMD. The routine ophthalmological study, photorecording, fluorescence angiography of the fundus of the eye, optic coherent tomography, and electrophysiological studies indicated macular drusen regression, increased visual acuity, and better electrophysiological parameters. Choriodal neovascularization and exudative complications did not develop in both the early and late follow-up periods.

The paper presents the results of a long-term (up to 2-year) clinical monitoring of 30 patients operated on for leukomas of various etiology, who were a high risk group and received the oral cyclosporine HEXAL postoperatively. Three types of the course of a postoperative period were identified. These included: an absolutely favorable course in 33.3% of cases (Group 1), a relatively favorable one in 30% (Group 2), and an absolutely unfavorable course in 36.7% (Group 3). The studies demonstrated that cyclosporine diminished the degree of an inflammatory reaction and promotes its rapid relief and better functional results in the late postoperative period. Transparent and semi-transparent engraftment could be achieved in 63.3% of cases. The causes of poor outcomes (in 36.7%) may be the inadequate doses of the cyclosporine and the time of its administration (unsteady-state blood cyclosporine concentrations (TO), the inadequate efficiency or initial inefficiency of immunosuppressive therapy.

The paper presents the results of a long-term (up to 2-year) clinical and immunological monitoring of 25 patients operated on for leukomas of various etiology, who were a high risk group. The objective of the study was to clarify the causes of the inefficiency of treatment with cyclosporine (Cs) and to develop specific indications for its usage. The autoimmune reactions against the cornea (a cellular response) were studied. The levels of cytokines (interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, and IL-10) and the markers of herpesvirus activation (IgM antibodies) were defined. Retrospectively, the patients were divided into groups according to the pattern of a postoperative period and to the type of immunograms: moderately reactive (n = 6 (24%)), hyperreactive (n = 6 (24%)), and areactive (n = 13 (52%)). The findings suggest that the inefficiency of treatment using the Cs dosage regimens may be due to the wide variability and specific features of immunological responsiveness in particularly critically ill patients. In the authors' opinion, areactive patients (most of them were the post-burnt) need the most careful approach. Overall, the findings suggest that it is necessary to strictly select a Cs dosage regimen on an individual basis and to correct it during clinical and immunological monitoring.

The paper presents the results of studying involutional changes in the accommodative apparatus of the eye in presbyopia by ultrasound biometry and biomicroscopy. Persons aged 40-70 years who had presbyopia and emmetropic refraction and without concomitant eye disease were examined. In addition to routine studies, all the examinees underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy and ultrasound biometry. The age-related lenticular enlargement was established to be accompanied by a considerable reduction in the orbicular space of the posterior chamber of the eye to the extent of its transformation to a slotted space. The presbyopic patients were found to have a significantly diminished tone in the middle and posterior portions of the lenticular ligamentous apparatus to the extent of its sag, with the altered direction of their passage between the crystalline lenticular equator and the ciliary body crown, i. e. from meridional to radial. The revealed significant age-related topographic and anatomic changes in the orbicular portion of the posterior chamber of eye and in ligamentous tone, which are associated with the involutional increase in the size of the crystalline lens point to the great importance of decreasing the working accommodation distance in the development of presbyopia.

The paper analyzed the immediate and late results (the state of intraocular pressure and visual functions) of combined surgery for cataract and glaucoma, by using the developed instrument. Eighteen patients (19 eyes) aged 54 to 92 years who had open-angle glaucoma or phacotopic glaucoma (dislocation of the lens to the vitreous body) and cataract underwent combined surgery involving extraction of cataract, its phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation through the scleral tunnel, and sinus trabeculectomy (STE) performed with a perforator, the instrument developed by the authors. The findings confirm the efficiency of the combined surgery (STE) with cataract extraction through variously extended scleral tunnels in patients with open-angle glaucoma, normalizing intraocular pressure and improving visual functions by one-stage surgery. Combined surgery for cataract extraction with IOL implantation through the scleral tunnel and STE, which is performed with the instrument proposed by the authors, has been put into practice.

The paper deals with noninvasive YAG-laser surgery that is used in the treatment of hemophthalmia, particularly hemophthalmia of posttraumatic genesis. A Visulas YAG laser unit ("Karl Zeiss") was used for YAG laser radiation. Its energy parameters were 0.8 to 9.2 mJ; 2-10 impulses; 1-30 laser treatment sessions. YAG-laser radiation affected the altered part of vitreous body: from fresh blood to the emergence of hemophthalmia as adhesions and conglomerates. YAG-laser applied to pathological vitreous body changes in hemophthalmia is effective and causes their elimination with subsequent lysis. YAG-laser vitreolysis is the operation of choice in traumatic hemophthalmia and may be used not only as an independent surgical technique, but also an additional one in the surgical and medical treatment of hemophthalmia. YAG-laser application to the vitreous body reduces the time of treatment for traumatic hemophthalmia.

The paper gives the results of a follow-up of the clinical course and visual outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in combination of corneal epithelial stem cell grafting (limbic transplantation (LT)) in 10 patients (10 eyes) in end-stage burn disease. For LT, autologous limbic grafts were used in 5 cases and allogenic ones were applied in 5 more cases. Visual outcomes were assessed in the periods of 2 months to 4 years and 3 months. A rather high visual acuity was obtained in the patients who had undergone PK in combination with autologous LT. The majority of patients with allogenic LT were observed to have a recurrence of keratoleukoma and less significant functional outcomes. Possible tissue incompatibility, followed by lysis of allogenic limbic grafts, and inadequate ocular surface moistening are considered to be main causes of recurrent corneal conjunctivalization. PK in combination with LT substantially increases the possibility of visual rehabilitation in patients with postburn total corneal leukomas. The use of autologous limbic grafts for these purposes is more effective as compared with that of allogenic ones.

The paper presents the results of an investigation of the effect of the nootropic agents pantogam and nooclerine on visual functions in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. These agents have been found to have a beneficial effect on the functional activity of the retina and optic nerve, light sensitivity, hemo- and hydrodynamics of the eye.

The paper deals with the basic pathogenetic aspects of development of orbital hernias--the factors of a tarsoorbital fascial change in the presence of the hereditary syndrome of connective tissue hyperplasticity and elevated intraorbital pressure, which affects the volume of orbital fat. The possibilities of a differential diagnosis of orbital hernias and eyelid edemas are considered. There is a biomechanical association of orbital hernias with acquired age-related enophthalmos. The examples of impairments in the tolerance of the optic nerve and in the development of optic neuropathy in enophthalmos are considered. The fact that there may be tarsoorbital fascial lesions, followed by the development of orbital hernias after parabulbar injections is indicated. The author proposes an operation dealing with the reposition of orbital hernias instead of their resection during blepharoplastic interventions.

The effect of steady-state nystagmus suppression has been found upon periodic light exposure of the eye. The paper describes the exposure facility and procedure based on the changes in the amplitude and frequency of light pulse until there is a response of a patient's nystagmus parameters that are continuously monitored by video-assisted computer system. After periodic light exposures, there was a persistent suppression of nystagmus and a steady-state increase in visual acuity by an average of 0.1.

The paper presents preliminary results of deep layer keratoplasty first performed in Russian ophthalmology. It describes its surgical techniques. Deep layer posterior keratoplasty was made in 3 patients with epithelial-and-endothelial dystrophy of the cornea. The operation was simultaneously made with ultrasound cataract phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation artificial in one case. In the early postoperative period, the fixed position of a transparent keratograft was achieved and the epithelial layer also recovered without signs of bullous keratopathy. The immediate results of posterior keratoplasty inspire optimism. Deep layer keratoplasty is technically more difficult than penetrating keratoplasty, more painstaking and more prolonged. At the same time it has no shortcomings typical of penetrating keratoplasty. The procedure of deep layer keratoplasty requires further long-term study, simplification of surgical techniques, detection of possible complications, and modes of their correction.

This paper deals with refractive disorders in cataract surgery. The authors have studied the efficiency of eximer laser correction (LASIK) of astigmatism on pseudophakic eyes and proposed their own modification of the technology "Pre-flap" that provides the most advantageous conditions for laser correction. In addition, preflapping permits correction of astigmatism in the immediate period after cataract extraction, thus reducing the time of the patients' rehabilitation. Clinical and functional studies have provided evidence for the proposed procedure.

There have been recent data on an important role of the rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its major effector--angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. The treatment for diabetes mellitus with ACE inhibitors (ACEI) has received wide recognition. By lowering blood pressure, ACEI improves endothelial function, positively affect carbohydrate metabolism, and exerts a nephroprotective effect. However, the role of ACEI in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains to be studied. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive clinicofunctional study of 36 patients with preproliferative DR before and after treatment with the ACEI perindopril. The agent has been found to have a positive effect on visual functions, retinal electrogenesis, and the state of the blood-retinal barrier.

This paper presents the outcomes of 230 primary, advanced, and secondary implants of polytetrafluoroethylene orbital inserts manufactured by the closed joint stock company "Nauchno-Proizvodstvennyi Kompleks (Scientific-and-Production Complex) "Ekoflon" (Saint Petersburg). The duration of a follow-up was 6-36 months (mean 15.9 +/- 037 months). The accumulated experience suggests that polytetrafluoroethylene orbital inserts are noted for their biocompatibility, easiness of manual treatment, and simplicity of implantation. Thus, porous polytetrafluoroethylene orbital inserts are promising medical articles designed for the prevention and treatment of the anophthalmic syndrome.

The paper lays down the basic principles of ophthalmoplastic treatment on the basis of an analysis of the results of treatment and follow-ups of 2300 patients aged 6 months to 18 years who have abnormalities of the orbit and appendages of the eye. Emphasis is laid on the preference of methods for plastic repair, using local tissues, and free autologous grafting of the skin and mucosa. A soft material that is to be easy grown through, such as Carbotextim-carbonic felt, is recommended when contour plastic repair of the orbit is required. For hanging, a mersilene mesh should be employed in case of blepharoptosis. To achieve the better cosmetic results, it is better to operate at the age of more than 4 years; however, treatment should be initiated at the age of 1 year when there are available functional indications (symblepharon, ablepharia, or cryptophthalmus).

The paper analyzes complications due to 500 orbital plastic repairs for traumatic deformities. Biomaterials (cadaveric cartilage/bone, allograft for orbital wall plastic repair, or xenopericardium) were applied in all cases. The lost orbital volume was also compensated for by Carbotextim-M. Damage to the inferior oblique muscle was the severest intraoperative complication. The bulk of complications in the early postoperative period were transient and implant displacement in the late periods required its position correction only in 4% of cases. The implant displacement-associated risk factors were as follows: male sex, childhood, application of a solid material (cartilage, bone), and its attachment failure. Purulent processes were local and encountered in 2% of cases. The low incidence of severe complications, as well as permanently high functional and cosmetic outcomes (during as long as 98.2 months) suggest that biografting of the lower orbital wall is effective.

The paper presents the comparative results of clinical and immunological studies dealing with the use of the physiological reparation regulators (the human amniotic membrane and systemic enzyme therapy) and the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to prevent excessive ocular tissue scarring. The clinical observations have demonstrated the high efficiency of the proposed methods for the physiological regulation of reparative processes as compared with the use of 5-FU, which manifested as a more marked normalization ofophthalmotonus and fewer numbers of postoperative complications. The investigation of the study of proliferation-activating cytokine (TGF-beta1) and antiprolerative cytokine (IFN-gamma) has demonstrated the immunomodulating properties of the physiological reparation regulators used in the present study.

The present paper deals with the study of the efficiency of oral use of the antioxidative drug Immugen (a complex of alpha-tocopherol, oubichinone, selenium aspartate, methionine, and soyabean phospholipids) on a rabbit model of severe alkaline-induced corneal burn. The investigations have indicated that addition of Immugen to the rabbit feed exerts a significant positive effect on the parameters of the local antioxidative system of the eye and causes an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and, on day 14, in antioxidative activity. The early experimental periods were marked by a slight rise in the frequency of deep corneal ulcerations. Moreover, the long-term clinical effect of use of Immugen appears as a significant increase in the area of the transparency-preserving affected cornea. The findings suggest that the antioxidants can show their optimal effect in the complex therapy for burn processes, including the use of proteinase inhibitors.

The paper analyzes the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) in posttraumatic lesion of the eye socket, ball, and appendage and identifies the basic groups of patients in whom CT is an essential study. In 2004, the Department of Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery, and Eye Prosthesis, Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases, performed CT in 323 patients (18.2% of the inpatients and 3.4% of the outpatients). Analyzing all CT images identified the basic groups of patients in whom this study was essential. The CT scans characterizing examples from each group of patients are given. The studies could extend indications in patients with posttraumatic lesion of the eye and orbital area for CT. The latter is an important and essential study in patients with traumatic pathology of the eye with multiple and hard-to-reach foreign bodies and with trauma of the soft and osseous structures of the orbit, which makes it possible to determine not only the possibility, but also pattern and scope of a surgical intervention and to assess its long-term result.

The paper presents the results of surgical treatment in 12 (12 eyes) infants aged 3 to 11 months who had different forms of unilateral congenital cataract. The surgical techniques involved the following stages: formation of a sclerocorneal tunnel cut, 3.5 mm in width, anterior continuous circular capsulotomy (anterior capsular rhexis), aspiration-irrigation techniques for removal lens masses, implantation of a flexible intraocular lens (IOL) into the capsular sac, graded opening of the posterior capsule with anterior vitrectomy in some infants. The authors could achieve symmetrical capsular rhexis in 75% and intracapsular IOL fixation in all the cases. During 3-month-to-2-year follow-ups after surgery, IOL held its position in the capsular sac; IOL dislocation and lenticular body capture were not observed in any case.

The paper analyzes the results of removal of epibulbar tumor and nontumor masses, by using the radiowave surgical technique. The authors used two basic modes: fulguration and completely rectified and/ or completely filtered wave. Postoperative healing was aseptic and areactive. The duration of reparation depended on the working conditions, the volume of excised tissues, and the individual pattern of reparative processes. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were found. There were no cases of relapses and on-going growth during 9-12-month follow-ups. The authors have concluded that a radiowave knife may be used in surgery for epibulbar tumor and nontumor masses.

The paper analyzes the nature of an accommodational response in 11 patients (19 eyes) before and after surgical correction of myopia with ICL intraocular lenses (IOLs). Rapid and slow accommodational responses were studied to different values of an accommodation stimulus (from 1.0 to 3.0 diopters). The implanted IOLs were found to have no effect on the performance of the ciliary muscle. Its compensatory enhancement occurs after implantation, which ensures the normal performance of the accommodation apparatus.

The paper presents the results of experimental use of a polyglycolide material-based filling for temporary episcleral filling in retinal detachment. Thorough comparative morphological and biomechanical studies of 120 experimental eyes in different periods after scleroplasty, by using an inflatable balloon catheter, homoscleral and polyglycolide fillings, have indicated that the polyglycolide filling material is completely lysed by ocular tissues within 60-90 days, which rules out a repeated surgical intervention for removal of temporary filling (for example, an inflatable balloon catheter), by preserving the constancy of the depth of scleral pressing-in. The short existence of a chemically indifferent polyglycolide filling in the ocular tissues excludes its negative effect on the surrounding structures of the eye, minimizes the likelihood of the occurrence of early postoperative complications, but thereby leading to a substantial increase in the biochemical stability of the scleral-and-chorioretinal complex in the early postoperative periods and ensuring increased resistance to dynamic loads, by forming a stable scleral-and-chorioretinal adhesion 3 months after surgery. The findings suggest that the designed polyglycolide explant has advantages and that it is expedient to introduce the new Russian resolving polyglycolide fiber explants into clinical practice (for scleroplastic operations).

Described in the paper are the results of surgical treatment of 25 children (37 eyes), aged 3 months to 12 years, with congenital and secondary cataracts. The treatment schemes were based on new technologies including tunnel incisions, continuous round anterior capsulorhexis and aspiration-irrigation as well as implantation of different-model posterior-chamber flexible "Acrysof' IOLs into the capsular sac or ciliary sulcus. A high treatment efficiency as well as a need in a differentiated approach to choosing an IOL fixation, diameter and technique of anterior capsulorhexis and a model of the implanted "Acrysof' IOL made with respect to individual age and clinical peculiarities of eyes of children with congenital cataracts as well as with respect to a potential general somatic pathology (galactosemia) are demonstrated.

Described in the paper are results of a clinical treatment of 127 children (174 eyes), aged 2 to 15 years, with different-type congenital cataract; the treatment was based on modem technologies including tunnel limbic incision, continuous anterior round capsulorhexis, aspiration-irrigation of the contents of the capsular sac, implantation of soft Acrysof SA30A1 IOLs by forceps or "Monarch" injector and suturing of incision. The anterior continuous capsulotomy was found to be the most complicated surgery stage in removal of congenital cataract in children it could be made without errors in 75.3% of cases. Intracapsular implantation of IOL in different-type cataract in children was possible in 97.7% of cases. The single-unit Acrysof IOL stays stable inside the capsular sac for as long as 24 months. A combination of primary capsulorhexis with "dry" anterior vitrectomy is most effective in the prevention of secondary cataract.

Described in the paper are the results of a comparative evaluation of treatment of amblyopia by computer techniques based on the modern understanding of the mechanisms of impaired visual functions, as observed in amblyopia, comprising stimulation of different canals of the visual system, which were affected or not. Better clinical-and-functional results were fixed in patients with high amblyopia by using the "Ambcar" soft stimulating the magnocellular system by sinusoidal grates with the eyes being fixed on moving objects as well as in patients with moderate amblyopia by using the "eYe" and "Krestiki" soft tools affecting different canals of the visual system and different levels of the parvocellular system. Amblyopia should be treated with respect to individual differences between affected functions of the visual system in each patient, and a therapy method should be chosen in proportion to a disease severity.

The paper deals with new clinical forms of ophthalmoclamidiosis involving lesions to the choroids, retina, optic nerve and cornea. Uveitis and scleritis were found in 73.5% and 26.5%, respectively. Iridocyclitis and paneveitis prevailed in cases of uveitis. Forty-two patients, aged 3 to 53, were followed up. Bilateral ocular lesions were registered in 67% of them. The progression, clinical course and outcomes of the disease were investigated by using the up-to-date laboratory-and-immunologic methods. Direct immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction, when used alongside with serological examinations, were found to be most informative. A combination of ophthalmoclamidiosis with urogenital pathologies was registered in 76% of patients.

The use of a metallic suture in eye microsurgery is described in the paper. The metallic suture made from a 0.05-0.05 mm vanadic stainless steel wire (corresponding to 8:0) was applied in 1202 cataract extractions, penetrating injuries, antiglaucomatous surgeries and in removal of pterygium at the medical-and-sanitary facility of steel works in the town of Bokaro (India). The observation period ranged, on the average, from 3 months to 3 years. There were no complications during the procedure of applying the suture. However, it caused a minor response in the ocular tissues during the early postoperative period. Small bullae were observed in the corneal surface near the suture in 7 cases (0.58%), which disappeared spontaneously in 3-4 days. Irritations inflicted by the suture ends were registered in 2.58% of cases (31 patients). The mean postoperative astigmatism was, 3 months after surgery, 1.65 diopters. The sutures were removed in 132 cases (10.98%), including in 16 patients with irritation, and in 116 patients for the purpose of correcting a high astigmatism. The share of patients with a visual acuity of 0.5 and higher was, in one week, 43.59% and went up, one month later, to 78.20%. The suture was well tolerated by patients, it was quickly covered by the corneal epithelium, there was no rejection and it can be easily manufactured. The suture is sterilized by routine techniques without need for any extra treatment before use; it is a reactive, biologically inactive, efficient, convenient and causes minimal operative and postoperative complications.

The paper deals with progress of myopia during active growth of children. The strategy of treatment is developed and efficacy of surgical fortification of the sclera in children with an unfavorable course of myopia (early acquired myopia, rapid progress of the condition) is assessed. The proposed method stabilizes myopia for 3 years sclera fortification carried out in several stages in the patients with the most grave condition. Practical recommendations are offered concerning a certain order of exposures and indications for them.