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Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), often associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP), can lead to permanent damage of the optic nerve, concomitant visual field loss, and blindness. Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2α analogue, reduces IOP and is used to treat glaucoma. In this clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of Latanoprost Polpharma, a generic preservative-free latanoprost 0.05 mg/ml eye drops solution, in lowering IOP when compared to the originator Xalatan ® (latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution, Pfizer)., Methods: This was a Phase III, multicentre, randomized, investigator-masked, cross-over, comparative, non-inferiority trial carried out in 5 sites in Hungary and Russia. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the non-inferiority of the test product when compared to the reference product with respect to the differences in the mean diurnal IOP on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 29. The secondary endpoints included efficacy, ocular tolerance, safety, and usability. We recruited adult patients (18-75 years) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension., Results: Forty-nine patients were randomised and received at least one dose of the test or reference product. A virtually identical reduction of the mean diurnal IOP of 7.04 ± 2.14 mmHg or 7.17 ± 2.11 mmHg was found after treatment with test or reference product, respectively (N = 44). In the intention to treat analysis, the reduction was 7.29 ± 2.53 mmHg (95% CI: 6.55-8.04) or 7.43 ± 2.78 mm Hg (95%CI: 6.61-8.24) after treatment with test or reference product, respectively (N = 47). There were no serious adverse events., Conclusions: Latanoprost Polpharma was shown to be non-inferior to Xalatan ® . Both investigational products were equally well tolerated and safe. The data show a trend in favour of the test product with regards to the severity of hyperaemia and to the velocity of remission of ocular discomfort. Latanoprost Polpharma, being preservative-free, also avoids the cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride, the side effects of which may affect patient compliance and lower the quality of life., Trial Registration: The study had the ethical and regulatory approval from the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYEI, OGYEI/41,779- 11/2018) and the Ethics Committee for Clinical Pharmacology (KFEB) of Hungary and from the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation (MOH of Russia) prior to the beginning of the study (642/25.12.2018) (clinical trial identification number: 848,300,144/0103/1 - POP03; IND number/EudraCT number: 2018-001727-39)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Advances in medical diagnostic technologies, particularly in ophthalmology, help researchers understand histological characteristics of the human eye and study vision at the cellular level. In addition to its role in the ocular function associated with the control of movements, senses and protective responses, the nervous system plays a key role in regulation of the visual process. Neurodegenerative disorders hold a special place among systemic diseases. Presently, the development of such pathologies are associated with neuroinflammation, which has been proven to also contribute to the glaucomatous process. For this reason, achieving target intraocular pressure does not always guarantee stabilization of the degenerative process. In this context, neuroprotective agents are recommended for glaucoma management to all patients taking into consideration pathogenetic characteristics of the disease. Based on its antioxidative and neuroprotective effects, ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (Mexidol) is commonly used in ophthalmic practice, specifically in the treatment of patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy and retinal diseases. The results of studies demonstrate that Mexidol is effective in slowing down neurodegeneration and stabilizing visual functions in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma due to its antihypoxic, antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties, as well as its positive impact on the neuromediator balance and ocular blood flow.

The article considers the legislative and regulatory acts that specify the tasks in the implementation of breeding processes. The results of the creation, variety testing, patenting and introduction of grape varieties and clones into the State Register of the Russian Federation for 2010-2020 are presented. The article analyzes the relationship between the indicators of industrial development with the production volumes of planting material, the use of domestic varieties that are included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. The characteristic of ampelographic collections - the genetic resources of grapes - is given. A comparative analysis of many years' worth of data on the assessment of the adaptive potential of domestic varieties and introduced varieties is presented. The article describes domestic varieties, from which premium wines are produced, which not only competes with European varieties, but also surpasses the organoleptic properties and biochemical parameters of grape must and wine material. The main problems hindering the wide demand for domestic varieties on the market, including a substantial amount of imported European varietal planting material, are described. The necessity of accelerating breeding processes is actualized, modern methods are identified, including those of generative and genomic selection, transgenic technologies, cellular, mutational, and clone selection, and priority areas in breeding are presented. The numerical and qualitative analyses of the composition of breeding scientists is given, the trends of increasing the number and qualitative composition of breeders, the influx of young people, the growing need for training qualified personnel are noted. The number of bachelor's, master's and post-graduate students specializing in viticulture in general and in selection in particular as well as the number of defended dissertation studies on grape breeding has been found to be insufficient. The main scientific and practical problems in the organization and implementation of breeding processes in ensuring the development of the industry are updated, including a low share of domestic varieties in the produced planting material and planting, the lack of a systemically implemented varietal and technological policy, the imperfection of the legal system for the protection of intellectual property, a low availability of instrumentation and analytical equipment for the implementation of breeding by modern methods., (Copyright © AUTHORS.)

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.

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.

The Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine changes in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and high-nitrogen compounds (HNC) of white blood cells of patients with various forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, and attempt to identify the pathogenic importance marked disturbances in protection mechanisms and damaged by the disease., Methods: A prospective study of 92 people, who were divided into 4 groups: I - 25 patients with newly diagnosed infiltrative tuberculosis and localization process within the same lobe of the lung, II - 42 patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis with a limited process (tuberculoma), III - 15 patients with fibrosis - cavernosis pulmonary tuberculosis with disease duration of less than 2 years old and group IV - healthy people - 10., Results: It has been found that chronic TB infection suppresses the phagocytes activity of leukocytes in any form of study of its development. However, in more severe forms of tuberculosis with a predominance of exudative tissue reactions (infiltrative) levels of these metabolites in the white blood cells increases and they become damaging significance. With limited forms of pulmonary tuberculosis - tuberculoma - levels of these metabolites (especially ICA) in white blood cells is reduced, which may have a protective value., Conclusion: The obtained results allow to claim that in the diagnosis and assessment of the nature of the tuberculosis process may be used definition of functional and metabolic characteristics of blood leukocytes and plasma (phagocytosis, peroxide, total lipid, BURST TEST, AFC, ICA and their derivatives), as well as the number of amino acids, taurine and arginine in plasma and leukocytes.

The decision-making is a key event in the clinical practice. The program products with clinical decision support models in electronic data-base as well as with fixed decision moments of the real clinical practice and treatment results are very actual instruments for improving phthisiological practice and may be useful in the severe cases caused by the resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The methodology for gathering and structuring of useful information (critical clinical signals for decisions) is described. Additional coding of clinical diagnosis characteristics was implemented for numeric reflection of the personal situations. The created methodology for systematization and coding Clinical Events allowed to improve the clinical decision models for better clinical results.

Introduction: This article presents the results of an international, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical study of Visomitin (Mitotech LLC, Moscow, Russian Federation) eye drops in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). Visomitin is the first registered (in Russia) drug with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (SkQ1) as the active ingredient., Methods: In this multicenter (10 sites) study of 240 subjects with DES, study drug (Visomitin or placebo) was self-administered three times daily (TID) for 6 weeks, followed by a 6-week follow-up period. Seven in-office study visits occurred every 2 weeks during both the treatment and follow-up periods. Efficacy measures included Schirmer's test, tear break-up time, fluorescein staining, meniscus height, and visual acuity. Safety measures included adverse events, slit lamp biomicroscopy, tonometry, blood pressure, and heart rate. Tolerability was also evaluated., Results: This clinical study showed the effectiveness of Visomitin eye drops in the treatment of signs and symptoms of DES compared with placebo. The study showed that a 6-week course of TID topical instillation of Visomitin significantly improved the functional state of the cornea; Visomitin increased tear film stability and reduced corneal damage. Significant reduction of dry eye symptoms (such as dryness, burning, grittiness, and blurred vision) was also observed., Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Visomitin is effective and safe for use in eye patients with DES for protection from corneal damage., Funding: Mitotech LLC.

The article comprises data on the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma. Accepted theories and risk factors of glaucoma development are considered from a historical perspective as well as in the light of modern understanding of the essence of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The impact of different independent factors on particular pathogenetic events and their interrelation is shown. Data on possible mechanisms involved in the neurogenerative process that yet lack substantiation are presented.

Purpose was to study efficiency and safety of mexidol in combined therapy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). 94 patients (185 eyes) at the age of 18-75 years old with POAG I-III stages were divided into 3 groups: 50 patients received combined therapy of mexidol 100 mg and picamilon 150 mg, 22 patients received combined therapy of mexidol 300 mg and picamilon 150 mg, 22 patients received only picamilon 150 mg. All medicine was administered qd during 14 or 21 days. Examination included standard ophthalmologic methods, perimetry, electroretinography, retinal and optic nerve heard arterial blood flow. Improvement of visual acuity, perimetric, electrofisiological indicies and increased blood flow velocity of central retinal artery were registrated. Combined mexidol therapy allows improving results in treatment of patients with POAG.

The results of comparative study of efficacy and safety of vision correcting system "Focus" and Picamilon in patients with dry form of age macular degeneration are presented. 60 patients were enrolled into the study, follow-up was 3 months. Routine examination revealed positive impact of "Focus" on dynamics of main visual functions (visual acuity and field). In terms of impact on dynamics of main visual functions "Focus" is comparable with Picamilon, though it is better tolerated. Intake of vision correcting system "Focus" promotes visual functions improvement and prevents progressing of retinal degenerations.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of artificial pneumothorax (AP) in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients when anti-tuberculosis treatment is ineffective., Design: We evaluated the outcome of therapy in 214 patients with cavitary PTB bacteriologically confirmed by culture treated during 1998-2004, 78.9% of whom had multidrug resistance. AP was applied in 109 patients (56 newly diagnosed TB and 53 retreatment cases). A control group consisted of 105 patients (respectively 55 and 50) treated without AP. The average period of AP application was 4.5 months for newly diagnosed patients and 9 months in retreatment cases. Anti-tuberculosis treatment regimens in both groups were based on drug susceptibility test results., Results: Culture negativity was achieved in patients treated with AP in all new cases and in 81.1% of retreatment cases. Cavity closure occurred in 94.6% and 67.9% respectively. In the control group, culture negativity was achieved in respectively 70.9% and 40.0%, and cavity closure occurred in respectively 56.3% and 24.0%., Conclusion: AP considerably improved the treatment outcome in both newly diagnosed and retreatment patients. This procedure can be considered a useful addition in managing certain patients with cavitary TB, particularly those with drug resistance.

A hundred and nine patients with complicated destructive pulmonary tuberculosis who had received chemotherapy with reserve drugs, artificial pneumothorax (AP), pneumoperitoneum (PN), physiotherapy, and resection surgery were followed up. The application of video thoracoscopy made it possible to eliminate any types of pleural adhesions. Individualization of therapeutic measures considerably increases the efficiency of treatment. AP is the method of choice in therapy of newly detected patients who have undergone ineffective routine treatment regimens.

Seventy-five patients (75 eyes) with central involution chorioretinal dystrophy (non-exudative type at the progression stage) were followed up. All of them received low-intensity laser therapy. Irradiation of 890 nm, 644 nm and 500 nm was used in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The study purpose was to compare the efficiency of wavelengths. Visual acuity and retinal sensitivity were determined. The results were evaluated immediately after treatment and in 3 months. The maximal improvement in visual acuity and retinal sensitivity was in those who received 890 nm laser therapy; 500 nm irradiation--a less pronounced effect and 640 nm--the lowest one. We attribute such distribution of efficiency to a proliferation type of each irradiation range in the macular zone.

The article deals with the use of photodynamic therapy with regard for the modern choice of photosensitizing preparations and with regard for new-generation lasers, which reveal, to a full extent, the possibilities of the above treatment method. Examples of using the photodynamic therapy in the treatment of some oncology pathologies of various localizations, including the ocular pathologies, are depicted in the article. The use of photodynamic therapy at retinal diseases, caused by the onset of new-vascular membranes due to the age-related degeneration of the macular, is under discussion. The application of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cystic filtration cushions, involving the technique offered by the authors, is described.

The paper presents a description of a new method for treatment of iris and ciliary body inflammation accompanied with fibrin exudation. We used low-level blue laser destroying a fibrin clot in its initial stage of formation. We also used herapin and ascorbic acid. In the absence of the greatest impact urokinase was additionally administered.

Transscleral diode laser cyclocoagulation was modified so that laser coagulants (20-25 applications) were applied not only to the ciliary crown, but to the flat part of the ciliary body as well. Inflammation modulators forming after coagulation thus enter aqueous humor and the vitreous body and penetrate into the retina and optic disc, causing dilatation of capillaries and stimulating the blood stream in them. Forty patients (40 eyes) with far advanced glaucoma and pronounced concentrical narrowing of the visual field were operated on and observed for 6-12 months postoperation. One month after the intervention intraocular pressure decreased by 9-21 mm Hg and was below 22 mm Hg in 38 eyes; visual acuity increased by 0.1-0.3 in 11 cases; visual field widened in all patients. These results did not appreciably change till the end of the period of observation.

Choice of optimal hypotensive therapy with the minimal side effects remains a serious problem in therapy of glaucoma. The efficacy and safety of oftan-dipivefrin (Sante, Finland) and glaucon (Alcon, USA) are compared in a controlled balanced randomized open parallel study preceded by a period for discharge of the previous drugs. The period of discharge was 7 days, active treatment was administered for 8 weeks. Sixty patients aged 61-69 years were treated. Thirty-one patients were treated by oftan-dipivefrin (group 1) and 29 by glaucon (group 2). In parallel with this, a 1% pilocarpin solution was administered in both groups. The examinations carried out during all consultations included measurements of intraocular pressure before instillations every day at the same time, evaluation of visual acuity, tonography, and study of the central and peripheral visual fields. The time course of hypotensive effects of both drugs showed a sufficient decrease in intraocular pressure in both groups; the effect of oftan-dipivefrin was more pronounced, while glaucon caused the least number of side effects.

The efficacy of corneregel, a drug containing pantothenic acid, a component of coenzyme A, in healing of corneal wounds has been evaluated. The study was carried out on 19 rabbits (38 eyes) with standard corneal defect made with a 5-mm trephine for lamellar transplantation of the cornea, divided into 2 groups: 1) instillations of corneregel (10 eyes) and 0.25% levomycetin solution (10 eyes) and 2) 20% solcoseryl gel (9 eyes) and 0.25% levomycetin (9 eyes). Time course of changes were evaluated by biomicroscopy (fluorescent test), histologically (hematoxylin-eosin staining), and immunohistochemically after 1, 2, 4, 7, 30, and 90 days. Proliferative activity was studied by expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the migration capacity of cells by expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. The terms of epithelialization were as follows: corneregel 10 +/- 7 h, 20% solcoseryl gel 108 +/- 10 h, levomycetin 124 +/- 6.93 h. Earlier epithelialization in the corneregel group was apparently due to increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and increase in the cell migration capacity. Hence, corneregel is recommended for practical use as a stimulant of reparative regeneration of the cornea.

Study of the efficacy of a new long-acting drug timoptic depot (timolol maleate) in 15 patients demonstrated its manifest hypotensive effect. Its administration once a day regulates the level of ophthalmic tone. If additional therapy was needed during treatment with timoptic depot, the best results (more pronounced effect on ophthalmic tone and best tolerance) were observed with combinations of the drug with trusopt or glaucone. Like other nonselective beta-blockers, timoptic depot may cause intraventricular conductivity of the myocardium and sinusoidal bradycardia.

The efficacy of a new bioantioxidant histochrome is studied in 92 patients (98 eyes). The drug was injected subconjunctivally or parabulbarly in a dose of 0.5 ml 0.02% solution daily, 7-10 injections per course. The clinical effect of histochrome is determined by the localization, duration, and extent of the process. The drug was the most effective in the treatment of intraocular hemorrhages which occurred no more than 7 days before. Electroretinography demonstrated pronounced retinoprotective properties of the drug which improved the electrophysiological parameters in degenerative processes in the retina and optic nerve. Hence, histochrome is characterized by hemoresorption, retinoprotective, and antioxidant properties and is recommended for the treatment of ocular diseases involving metabolic disorders in the retina, vascular membrane, and cornea.

Hypotensive efficacy and tolerance of a new antiglaucoma drug lathanoprost, a 0.005% xalathane solution, prostaglandin F2 alpha analog, is studied. A single instillation of xalathane decreased ophthalmic tone in normal subjects and glaucoma patients with increased intraocular pressure. Combination of the drug with other hypotensive agents (pilocarpine + timolol) amplified their hypotensive effects. Long (3 months) follow-up showed that xalathane efficacy is comparable to that of pilocarpine and timolol combination but it is tolerated much better.

Tolerance and efficacy of a new combined antiglaucoma drug proxopheline (1% proxodolol and 0.25% clopheline) is assessed. Studies in 43 patients (63 eyes) with open-angle glaucoma showed that a single instillation of the drug decreases intraocular pressure in 1 h and in 93% of patients the hypotensive effect persists for up to 24 h. Prolonged (4 weeks) use of proxopheline resulted in normalization of intraocular pressure in 90% of treated eyes. The main side effect was dryness in the mouth (30%). The hypotensive effect of proxopheline is superior to that of proxodolol, but it involves a higher incidence of side effects, caused by clopheline--another component of proxopheline.

Two hundred and fifteen patients with pulmonary involvement of lobar (regional, segmental) extent were examined. The examination procedure included clinical and laboratory tests, X-ray tomographic study, and computed tomography, bronchoscopy with biopsy, cyto- and histological studies. The nosological diagnosis was established in 96.5% of cases. Differential diagnosis was found to be difficult in 3.5% of cases.

Reviews ophthalmologic equipment designed in Russia and the former USSR countries in recent years. Groups the equipment by its purpose: diagnostic equipment, devices for investigating and training the visual functions, therapeutic and surgical equipment. The review is highly informative and describes in detail the devices presented.

The authors assessed the effects of a single instillation and prolonged use of pilocarpine, thymolol maleate, fotyl, and fotyl-forte on the ophthalmic tone and some ocular functions in 118 patients (202 eyes) with glaucoma. The duration of pilocarpine effect is 6-8 h, that of thymolol maleate, fotyl, and fotyl-forte more than 24 h. The most expressed reduction of intraocular pressure was observed after fotyl and fotyl-forte (32-40% of initial level). Moreover, these agents showed the highest hypotensive activity upon prolonged (up to 6 months) use. Intraocular pressure normalized in about 70% patients. The hypotensive effect of fotyl-forte is somewhat higher than that of fotyl, but patients complain of pain after instillation of fotyl-forte 2-3 times more frequently than after fotyl.

Wound-healing activity of 2% betamicil ointment in comparison with the traditional stimulants of corneal repair regeneration (methyluracyl and solcoseril) was studied in experiments. The rate of epithelialization of a standard trephination wound in rabbit cornea (28 animals), mitotic activity of the anterior corneal epithelium, and strength of the regenerated tissue were assessed after use of different stimulants and in control. A maximal positive effect of local betamicil (2% ointment) was observed: the wounds epithelialized 57% sooner than in control, but there was no reliable difference from solcoseril; the regenerate of linear corneal wound was 1.5 times stronger. Use of this ointment in ophthalmology is validated.

A method of ab interno diathermogoniopuncture has been developed consisting in introducing the tip of a single-pole diathermocoagulator combined with an irrigation system through an incision in the limbus for 12 h and subsequent perforation of trabecula and sclera in the inferior portion. Histologic examinations of rabbit eyes demonstrated that the wound channel formed as a result of surgical intervention in the thickness of the sclera exists for up to 1 month provided destructive changes in the adjacent sclera are moderately expressed. Clinically intraocular pressure directly after surgery normalized in 52 of 60 eyes (86%); this effect persisted for up to 2 years in 73% of the operated on patients, in some of them additional drug therapy was needed.

Basing on clinical data (12 patients) and experimental results (42 rabbits), the authors defined the pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs administered by endo-ocular phonoelectrophoresis technique developed by them. Formation of the drugs' depot in the parabulbar space was demonstrated. Concentrations of the administered drugs in various segments of the eyeball were assessed. The values obtained during parabulbar injection of drugs were used as reference ones.

Effects of a single instillation of levobunolol, a new nonselective beta-adrenoblocker, in normal subjects and patients with various forms of glaucoma were under study, as were the effects of prolonged administration of this drug in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Short-term observations have revealed a hypotensive effect in all the examinees, the highest in patients with open-angle glaucoma (30.2%). Levobunolol did not influence the diameter of the pupil and accommodation, nor did it essentially change the cardiovascular activity. Prolonged administration of the drug resulted in a stable reduction of intraocular pressure by 20-30% in 70% of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Tonographic studies have shown that the drug reduced the intraocular fluid production and in case of a prolonged administration a trend to an elevation of the coefficient of the easiness of fluid discharge is observed.

On the basis of guinea pig experiments and clinical findings related to 103 patients of whom 51 were operated on, the authors propose a diagnostic set which allows determination of pulmonary tuberculosis phase. The set informative value is 93.5%.

Clinical trials of the hypotensive effect of 0.5% betoptic, an antiglaucoma drug manufactured by Alcon (USA), were carried out at three ophthalmologic hospitals. Similar results obtained in all the trials permit a conclusion on a high hypotensive efficacy of this drug in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The drug was well tolerated by the patients.

The results of prophylactic posterior sclerectomy, carried out to prevent ciliochoroid detachment in antiglaucoma fistulization surgery (trabeculectomy in various modifications) are analyzed. A total of 293 patients (303 eyes) were under study. In 51.8 percent of cases (157 eyes) trabeculectomy was combined with prophylactic sclerectomy, carried out both in the upper (121 eyes) and lower (36 eyes) segments of the eye. The results evidence that prophylactic posterior sclerectomy promoted a 2.3 times reduction (from 28.1 to 12.1 percent) in the incidence of ciliochoroid detachments; the site of this operation (upper of lower segment of the eye) was of no essential importance. The authors recommend prophylactic posterior sclerectomy as an effective method for prevention of ciliochoroid detachment.

Possibilities of roentgenologic method of examination with the use of roentgenography and tomography in the diagnosis of current forms of silicotuberculosis and tuberculosis in workers of the industries highly exposed to silicosis are analysed. ++Clinico-roentgenological+ pictures of 305 patients were studied in their dynamics for the period of 3 to 10 years. Being characterized by a benign course, silicotuberculosis is most often diagnosed in persons who left their work. A follow-up at least at 6-month intervals is of great importance in assessing its activity.

The authors analyze the results of repeated fistulization surgery (traditional trabeculectomy and that combined with resection of the episclera, and valvular trabeculectomy) in 40 patients (41 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma. A follow-up of 6 mos to 4 yrs has shown normalization of the ophthalmic tone in 90.2% of cases, in 65.8% of these this was achieved without drugs. Vision acuity remained unchanged or improved in 58.5% of cases, visual field was preserved or improved in 80.5% of patients. These results have lead the authors to a conclusion that a stable hypotensive effect can be achieved if repeated fistulization is performed outside the site of the primary intervention. If repeated trabeculectomy has to be performed at the site of the primary intervention, it is recommended to be combined with resection of the episclera, this improving the reliability of the hypotensive effect of surgery.

Six series of experiments were performed on 45 isolated cadaver eyes. In the first series, the outflow facility of the human sclera was measured, in the others, five surgical techniques for stimulating the uveo-scleral outflow were evaluted with the help of a constant pressure perfusion technique. It was found that the scleral C-value was pressure independent and its average value was equal to 0.0036 mm3/min/mmHg per 1 cm2 (100 mm2) of scleral surface. After the implantation of a scleral strip into the supra-uveal space, the mean increase in the total C-value was 23% of its initial value, ranging from 7 to 35%. After cyclodialysis the C-value increment varied from 17% to 66%, averaging 30%. The average increase in the outflow facility amounted to 60% (range 24--96%) in those cases where implantation of the scleral strip in the suprauveal space was combined with cyclodialysis. After implantation of a scleral strip, combined with subscleral sinusotomy, the C-value increment varied from 18 to 71%, averaging 41%. After cyclodialysis combined with goniospasis, the mean increase in the outflow facility coefficient was 62% (range 43%--108%).