[Faricimab: from research to clinical practice]. / Faritsimab: ot klinicheskikh issledovanii k real'noi klinicheskoi praktike.

Development of new molecules for anti-angiogenic therapy pursues the following objectives: to increase the interval between injections, which can reduce the treatment burden; to improve the effectiveness of treatment by affecting various links of pathogenesis; to ensure a good safety profile. Faricimab is a humanized immunoglobulin G antibody that targets two key angiogenesis sites: vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). In the STAIRWAY clinical trial, faricimab was shown to produce similar results to monthly ranibizumab at longer intervals and fewer intravitreal injections in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, specifically in terms of visual preservation and reduction in central retinal thickness (CRT). In the BOULEVARD trial, which lasted 36 weeks, the severity of diabetic retinopathy according to DRSS improved in previously untreated patients with diabetic macular edema by two stages and more in 12.2% of the 0.3 mg ranibizumab group, in 27.7% of patients in the 1.5 mg faricimab group, and in 38.6% of patients in the group treated with 6.0 mg faricimab. In the TENAYA, as well as LUCERNE, YOSEMITE and RHINE trials, the increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline in the faricimab group was comparable to that in the aflibercept group. Real clinical practice showed an increase in BCVA from 59.5 to 60.6 letters (p=0.035) due to a decrease in CRT from 334.3 to 303.3 µm (p=0.001). The first published studies are now appearing, and their results correspond to the clinical trials, which indicates a stable effect of the drug and the prospects for use in a large cohort of patients.

[Modern trends in anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration]. / Sovremennye tendentsii anti-VEGF -terapii vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops in people aged 50 years and older, its pathogenesis involves progressive destruction of the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane. There are eight currently known anti-VEGF drugs for treating the neovascular form of AMD, four of them have already been registered and are used in clinical practice. The first registered drug was pegaptanib, which selectively blocks VEGF165. Subsequently, a molecule with a similar mechanism of action was developed and named ranibizumab, which is a humanized monoclonal Fab fragment; it was specifically designed for ophthalmology. Its advantage over pegaptanib was neutralization of all active VEGF-A isoforms. Aflibercept and conbercept are recombinant fusion proteins that act as soluble decoy receptors for VEGF family proteins. Phase III data from the VIEW 1 and 2 studies showed that intraocular injections (IVI) of aflibercept every 1 or 2 months for a year resulted in comparable functional outcomes to monthly IVI of ranibizumab for one year. The next molecule for anti-VEGF therapy that showed effectiveness was brolucizumab - a single-chain fragment of a humanized antibody that binds with high affinity to various VEGF-A isoforms. Simultaneously with studying brolucizumab, another study was conducted involving Abicipar pegol, but that drug showed a high rate of complications. The latest drug registered for the treatment of neovascular AMD is faricimab. The molecule of this drug is a humanized immunoglobulin G antibody that acts on two key points of angiogenesis: VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). Thus, the strategy for advancing anti-VEGF therapy lies in the development of molecules with greater efficiency (better effect on newly formed vessels leading to resorption of exudate in the retina, under the neuroepithelium and under the retinal pigment epithelium), which allows not just to preserve vision, but to also significantly improve it when there is no macular atrophy.

[Prognostic factors and a customized approach to anti-VEGF therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration. Analysis of the risk of macular atrophy development]. / Prognosticheskie faktory i kastomizirovannyi podkhod k anti-VEGF-terapii pri ekssudativnoi forme vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii. Analiz riska vozniknoveniya makulyarnoi atrofii.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic progressive multifactorial disease characterized by a degenerative process in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane and choriocapillaris of the fovea with secondary neuroepithelial (NE) damage. Intravitreal administration of drugs that inhibit VEGF is recognized as the only treatment for exudative form of AMD. Literature data is limited, and do not allow drawing conclusions about the influence of various factors (identified using OCT in the EDI mode) on the development of various subtypes of atrophy and their progression, so we decided to conduct our own study and research the possible timing and risks of developing various subtypes of macular atrophy in patients with exudative AMD receiving anti-VEGF therapy. As a result of the study, it was revealed that general macular atrophy (p=0.005) has a predominant effect on BCVA in the first year of the follow-up, while subtypes of atrophy anatomically less pronounced at one year of the follow-up manifest themselves only in the second year of the follow-up (p<0.05). Although color photography and autofluorescence are currently the only approved methods for assessing the degree of atrophy, the use of OCT may reveal reliable precursor endpoints that will facilitate and allow earlier and more accurate assessment of neurosensory tissue loss resulting from the atrophy. Thus, the development of macular atrophy is influenced by such parameters of disease activity as intraretinal fluid (p=0.006952), RPE detachment (p=0.001530) and the type of neovascularization (p=0.028860), as well as neurodenegerative changes in the form of drusen (p=0.011259) and cysts (p=0.042023). The new classification of atrophy according to the degree and localization of the lesion allows more differentiated conclusions about the effect of anti-VEGF drugs on the development of certain types of atrophy, which can be a decisive factor in determining the treatment tactics.

[New criteria of effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy in exudative age-related macular degeneration]. / Novye kriterii effektivnosti anti-VEGF-terapii pri ekssudativnoi forme vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy using fluctuation and variability in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 200 patients with types 1, 2, 3 neovascularization and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). All patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination, as well optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A). Patients were divided into 4 quartiles based on fluctuation and variability. All patients underwent intravitreal administration of the anti-VEGF drug aflibercept (Eylea) manufactured by Bayer, Germany, using the Treat-and-Extend regimen. RESULTS: As a result of the study, a significant increase in visual acuity was revealed on the second year of treatment in patients in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decreased in the 1st and 4th quartiles. In the group with paracentral fluctuation, a significant increase in BCVA by the end of the second year of treatment was observed in the 1st (p=0.05) and 3rd quartiles. As a result of a 2-year follow-up, it was found that BCVA values were lower in patients with the greatest variability (2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles). A significant increase in BCVA was observed in the 1st quartile (p=0.047). The largest number of patients with subretinal fibrosis that had fluctuations in the central zone and peripheral fluctuations was observed in the 4th quartile, the smallest - in the 2nd quartile. Similar pattern was observed in the variability group. In the setting of anti-VEGF therapy, a significant increase in BCVA was observed in patients with the lowest variability - in the 1st quartile (p=0.047), but in patients with fluctuations the highest BCVA values were observed in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles, while in the 4th quartile BCVA decreased (p=0.0562). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that when treating patients with neovascular AMD, clinicians should aim for a treatment strategy that minimizes fluctuation and variability.

[Effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in different types of exudative fluid localization]. / Effektivnost' anti-VEGF-terapii neovaskulyarnoi formy vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii pri razlichnykh tipakh lokalizatsii ekssudativnoi zhidkosti.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy in different types of fluids localization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 16 people (16 eyes) with exudative AMD. The study included patients with fibrovascular detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), subretinal and intraretinal fluid. The patients were divided into two groups: in the first group, fibrovascular RPE detachment was combined with subretinal fluid (9 eyes); in the second group, fibrovascular RPE detachment was accompanied by both sub- and intraretinal fluid (7 eyes). All patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination, which included visometry, biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy under conditions of drug-induced mydriasis. Additionally, OCT of the macular region and OCT-angiography were performed. RESULTS: Over the entire observation period, the first group of patients received an average of 5.11 intravitreal injections (IVI), the second group - 5.14 IVI. Visual acuity was comparable in both groups at the beginning of the study. Subsequently, the treatment resulted in an increase in visual acuity after 3 months in the first (p=0.066) and second (p=0.043) groups, as well as after 12 months in both groups (p=0.043). In the first group of patients, after 12 months, an increase in RPE detachment was observed (p=0.942), which suggests that the disease activity remains underestimated on OCT when RPE detachment and subretinal fluid are combined. In the first group, complete resorption of subretinal fluid occurred in 2 people. In the second group, resorption of subretinal and intraretinal fluid occurred in 6 people. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the subtype of fluid, anti-VEGF therapy is an effective method for treating exudative AMD. Intravitreal injections are necessary both in the presence of intra- and/or subretinal fluid, and fluid under RPE. The greatest difficulty is assessment of the fluid under the RPE.

[Antiangiogenic therapy for types I and II macular neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration]. / Antiangiogennaya terapiya pri I i II podtipakh makulyarnoi neovaskulyarizatsii pri vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

The neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by growth of newly formed vessels, accumulation of fluid and, in most cases, presence of retinal pigment epithelium detachment. Depending on its localization in relation to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), macular neovascularization (MNV) can be considered type 1 when it is located under the RPE, and type 2 when it is invading the RPE and the neurosensory part of the retina. PURPOSE: To conduct a retrospective analysis of the use of anti-VEGF therapy in AMD patients with types I and II of MNV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 89 AMD patients (89 eyes) with active MNV who have been under observation for 3 years. In the course of treatment all patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination that included visometry, biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy with mydriasis, as well as optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Anti-VEGF therapy was found to stabilize best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in both types of MNV (I and II). Comparison of the intraretinal and subretinal fluids (IRF and SRF) revealed that initially neuroepithelium detachment is more frequent (approximately in 90% of eyes) than IRF (30-40%). Antiangiogenic therapy is associated with better resorption of SRF, by the third year of the follow-up the neuroepithelium detachment is visualized in 60% of patients, while IRF remains and is observed in 40% of cases. CONCLUSION: Antiangiogenic therapy has shown good functional and morphological effectiveness in both first and second types of MNV.

[Possibilities of an experimental damaging effect on the retinal pigment epithelium]. / Vozmozhnosti eksperimental'nogo modelirovaniya povrezhdayushchego vozdeistviya na pigmentnyi epitelii setchatki.

PURPOSE: To simulate the damaging effect on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in an experiment studying the effect of human neuronal precursors (NPs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 31 rabbits (31 eyes) of the Chinchilla breed, which were divided into 3 groups: the 1st group received a subretinal injection of balanced saline solution (BSS); the 2nd group - subretinal injection of BSS with vitrectomy, displacement of the injection bladder away from the injection site using a perfluororganic compound (PFOC) and laser coagulation; the 3rd group - subretinal injection of a culture of NPs using the same method as in the group 2. All rabbits were observed for 21 days using ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and autofluorescence (AF). RESULTS: In the 1st group, 4 out of 5 rabbits were observed to have total retinal detachment and vitreoretinal proliferative processes in the early postoperative period after subretinal injection of the BSS. In the 2nd group, OCT and AF revealed atrophy of the outer and inner layers of the retina as well as disorganization of the photoreceptors-RPE-Bruch's membrane complex in the area of injection on the 21 day after the operation. In the 3rd group, the OCT data obtained during the 21 days of observation showed that a hyperreflective zone at the level of the RPE-Bruch's membrane complex corresponding to the NPs injection site was preserved, while there was a partial loss of the outer retinal layers - but of a smaller volume compared to the BSS injection. The suggested method of subretinal injection led to a reduced number of complications: in the 1st group, postoperative complications amounted to 80%, while in the 2nd and 3rd groups - 45%. CONCLUSION: The study proposes a new method for retinal injection of BSS, which can help reduce RPE degeneration patterns and possible postoperative complications, thus increasing research efficiency. Subretinal injection of a culture of neuronal precursors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in an experiment can serve as a universal model for studying the survival and integration of stem cells.

[Morphological and functional indicators of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor apparatus in inherited retinal diseases]. / Morfofunktsional'nye pokazateli retinal'nogo pigmentnogo epiteliya i fotoretseptornogo apparata pri nasledstvennykh zabolevaniyakh setchatki.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the morphological and functional parameters of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors (PR) in inherited retinal diseases (IRD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 52 patients (104 eyes), 23 of them with Stargardt Disease (STGD), 19 with cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), 10 with retinitis pigmentosa/pigmentary abiotrophy (RP) of comparable disease durations. All patients underwent standard and additional ophthalmological examination: fundus autofluorescence (AF), spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT), computer perimetry (CP), electro-oculography (EOG), Ganzfeld electroretinography (gERG). RESULTS: Comparison of the groups of IRD patients and groups according to the degree of RPE damage with the control group revealed an increase in differences in the EOG and gERG indicators as the area and depth of damage to the RPE and PR progressed. The patterns of changes in RPE and PR, the frequency of their occurrence with IRD in this patient sample are described. A moderate correlation was found between the amount of RPE loss and EOG light rise, as well as between the defect of the ellipsoid zone and the amplitude of α- and ß-waves, the latency of ß-wave of the gERG. Some patients showed a mismatch between a small defect of the ellipsoid zone and RPE with significant damage to the visual field and reduction of the EOG and gERG indicators. The obtained electrophysiological indicators revealed pathological changes in RPE and PR, more significant and widespread in some cases than it was shown with visualization methods. Weak and moderate correlations between visual acuity, and RPE damage and light sensitivity index with loss of ellipsoid zone were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Modern methods of retinal examination can help obtain complete and versatile picture of morphological and functional state of the retina in IDR that supplement each other. EOG and gERG have capability to determine the degree of RPE and PR functions impairment including those cases when morphological studies are not sufficiently informative.

[Avascular retinal pigment epithelium detachments in age-related macular degeneration]. / Avaskulyarnye otsloiki retinal'nogo pigmentnogo epiteliya pri vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

Retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) is a pathological condition in which retinal pigment epithelium is separated from the underlying Bruch's membrane due to the formation of a fibrovascular membrane, drusenoid material, accumulation of fluid and/or blood. Six types of RPE detachments have been determined: pseudovitelliform, detachments associated with drainage drusen, serous, vascular and hemorrhagic, as well as PED associated with vascular retinal anomaly. The drusenoid PED is always avascular, the drusenoid material is contained between the RPE and Bruch's membrane. It was first described by Casswell in 1985. Ophthalmoscopy of the fundus shows a yellow-white cellular structure in the subretinal space, sometimes containing a patch of pigment, with an uneven surface, clear boundaries and a wavy edge. Serous PED is larger in area and prominence than drusenoid, characterized by the presence of a hyporeflective area under the detached RPE, over the area of more than 50% of the total area of detachment. Ophthalmoscopy shows a transparent yellow lesion in the subretinal space, sometimes brown-tinted, with clear boundaries and dome-shaped prominence. True serous PED is avascular (combination of choroidal neovascularization and serous PED will be discussed in the article about vascularized PED).

[Differential diagnosis of various types of fluids on the eye fundus in patients with age-related macular degeneration]. / Differentsial'naya diagnostika razlichnykh tipov «zhidkosti¼ na glaznom dne pri vozrastnoi makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss both worldwide and in Russia. A distinctive feature of the exudative form of AMD is the presence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) as a result of pathological angiogenesis of the choroid. With the introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT) - a non-invasive imaging technique - it has become possible to monitor CNV activity. In the development of CNV, OCT can reveal three types of fluid localization: intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid, fluid under retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Exudative IRF is characterized by the presence of round and/or oval space. This type of fluid is characterized by good response to anti-VEGF therapy. Degenerative IRF («cystoid degeneration¼) is characterized as a small, clearly defined hyporeflective spaces above the area with altered RPE not responding to anti-VEGF therapy. Thus, early diagnosis of AMD and detection of «new activity¼ after therapy with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) by comparing distribution of the fluid in SD-OCT are critical to maintaining or restoring the best possible visual acuity in patients with this disease.

[Current understanding of pachychoroid spectrum diseases]. / Sovremennye predstavleniia o pakhikhorioidal'nykh zabolevaniiakh.

Pachychoroid spectrum diseases (the prefix 'pachy-' means 'thick') were proposed as the term indicating an abnormal increase in choroidal thickness, dilatation of choroid vessels and other structural changes in choroid architecture. Pachychoroid spectrum diseases include central serous chorioretinopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy, focal choroidal excavation, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome. Studying the new group of diseases associated with pachychoroid phenotype is a topical task in modern ophthalmology. The emergence of new diagnostic methods such as OCT with angiography mode allows detailed study of this disease group, helps determine the prognosis and choose the tactic for management of these patients.

[Modern view on the treatment of wet-AMD patients]. / Sovremennyi vzgliad na lechenie ékssudativnoi formy vozrastnoi makuliarnoi degeneratsii.

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of visual deterioration in the world. There are currently about 30 million people with this pathology. The main factors stimulating the development of neovascularization and corneal edema in hypoxic patients are the production of VEGF factors - blocking them is the goal of anti-VEGF therapy. High efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy was demonstrated in pivotal Phase III trials such as MARINA, ANCHOR and VIEW 1&2 which gave basis to registration of the anti-VEGF drugs with further wide use in clinical practice. Along with that the search for a regimen that would lower the number of injections while maintaining achieved results was being conducted since the introduction of anti-VEGF drugs in the clinical practice. One of the methods allowing to lower number of injections is the fixed aflibercept regimen of 3 loading injections followed by injections with 2 months intervals, but the search did not stop with that. Currently, another regimen called 'Treat and Extend' (T&E) is seeing more use. Proactive dosage regimens such as 'Treat and Extend' are aimed at preventing the recurrence of disease activity and promoting significant improvement of visual functions, as well as maintaining the achieved treatment results while reducing the required number of injections. Based on the results of ALTAIR study assessing the efficacy of aflibercept in T&E regimen, this drug can be considered suitable for T&E regimen starting from the first year of treatment.

[The role of anti-VEGF therapy in geographic atrophy progression]. / Rol' anti-VEGF-terapii v progressirovanii geograficheskoi atrofii setchatki.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal disease associated with older age; it affects macula and leads to deterioration of central vision. Geographic atrophy (GA) is described as advanced stage AMD. Essentially, GA is the loss of some areas of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is necessary for normal functioning of the retina as it transports nutrients and ions, helps with production of growth factors and protects from photo-oxidation. Based on literature data, GA in AMD can be subtyped as follows: drusen-related; associated with choroidal neovascularization; secondary to anti-VEGF treatment; subsequent to collapse of RPE detachment and RPE rupture. Comparison of functional results of various examination methods suggests that presence of GA in patients with exudative AMD cannot be a counter-indication for anti-VEGF therapy, but these patients require careful monitoring involving high-technology methods of eye fundus visualization and personalized approach when choosing the treatment regimen.

[Anti-VEGF therapy resistance in neovascular age-related macular degeneration]. / Rezistentnost' k anti-VEGF-terapii pri ékssudativnoi vozrastnoi makuliarnoi degeneratsii.

With account to the increase in the elderly population in most of the developed countries, the WHO defines age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as one of the main causes of blindness in the world. A large percentage of disability is accounted for by exudative, or neovascular, form of AMD. Today, a total of 5 anti-VEGF drugs exist that are recommended for treatment of exudative AMD: pegaptanib, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, and conbercept. Despite significant progress in the treatment of neovascular AMD yielded by the introduction into clinical practice of anti-VEGF drugs, some patients report a lack (down to complete lack) of response with standard treatment patterns and even a decrease in treatment efficacy after repeated intravitreal injections.

[Analysis of changes in central macular thickness based on optical coherence tomography angiography findings in retinal vein occlusion]. / Izmeneniya tsentral'noi zony glaznogo dna pri retinal'nykh venoznykh okklyuziyakh po dannym opticheskoi kogerentnoi tomografii-angiografii.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between OCT angiography measurements and central fundus changes in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 21 RVO patients aged from 55 to 86 years (69.9±2.28 years), including 8 patients with ischemic central RVO (I-CRVO; 73.6±3.4 years on average) and 13 patients with branch RVO (BRVO; 67.6±3.0 years on average). Of the latter, 8 cases were ischemic (I-BRVO) and 5 non-ischemic (NI-BRVO). OCT angiography (OCTA) was performed using RTVue XR Avanti (Optovue, USA) tomograph in the Angio Retina mode. RESULTS: A direct correlation was found between visual acuity and the degree of macular perfusion when assessing a scanning area of 6x6 mm. Having compared the degree of perfusion in groups, we have revealed that it changed significantly regardless of the size of the area scanned and the radius of the region of interest. Patients with ischemic CRVO demonstrated the lowest perfusion (Flow Area). As to ischemic and non-ischemic BRVO patients, the difference between them was only noticed with small scanning area (3x3 mm). Another statistically significant difference was shown for the blood flow index in the I-CRVO and NI-BRVO groups with scan area of 3x3 mm. Of 8 I-CRVO patients, 4 demonstrated areas of hypoperfusion within both superficial and deep vascular plexuses, while the other 4 - within the deep plexus only. In the I-BRVO group, 7 patients had hypoperfusion within both superficial and deep vascular plexuses and just 1 - within the deep plexus. In the NI-BRVO group all 5 patients had hypoperfusion of deep layers with no involvement of the superficial plexus. CONCLUSION: The value of information on vascular perfusion in all layers of the central retina provided by OCT angiography is very high, which makes it useful for the detection of microvascular abnormalities in patients with retinal vein occlusions.

[Modern views on myopic maculopathy]. / Sovremennyi vzgliad na miopicheskuiu makulopatiiu.

Most of world's scientists consider the fast-growing incidence of myopia a problem of great social importance due to associated increase in complicated myopia that leads to disability among the working-age population. This is a review on complicated myopia and myopic maculopathy that covers the history of research in this field, principles of classification, and etiological factors. It also deals with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which often follows, and its treatment options, including anti-VEGF therapy. Possible complications of the latter are described as well. Literature search was done using PubMed, eLIBRARY, and Scopus text databases. A total of 61 sources, both Russian and foreign, were analyzed. Current clinical knowledge of different types of myopic maculopathy is still insufficient and the gaps are likely to be filled using modern methods of detailed in vivo examination of both sclera and choroidea. Anti-VEGF therapy has proved most effective in treating myopic maculopathy-associated neovascularization, however, a systematic approach to patient selection and management is yet needed.

[Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography findings in central fundus of myopic patients].

UNLABELLED: Myopia prevalence grows alike in many countries, including Russia, regardless of geographical and population conditions. AIM: to assess fundus changes in myopic patients at different ocular axial lengths by means of modern diagnostic tools. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 97 patients (194 eyes) aged 45 ± 20.17 years with myopia of different degrees. Besides a standard ophthalmic examination, all patients underwent fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The occurrence of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy (diffuse or focal) has been shown to increase with increasing ocular axial length. Only 27 eyes (28.1%) appeared intact. As myopia progression implies axial growth of the eye, it is associated with a more severe decrease in choroid, RPE, and photoreceptor layer thicknesses: the longer the anterior-posterior axis, the thinner the above mentioned fundus structures. Age-related changes in the fundus are also likely to be more pronounced in longer axes. Myopic traction maculopathy, which in our case appeared the main cause of increased retinal thickness, was diagnosed in 105 eyes, "outer" macular retinoschisis--in 40 eyes. CONCLUSION: Thus, modern diagnostic tools, such as fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography, enable objective assessment of the central fundus.

[Evaluating the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and concomitant glaucoma].

AIM: to evaluate the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 117 patients (117 eyes) with exudative AMD and concomitant non-operated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). All patients were divided into several groups depending on their intraocular pressure (IOP) and stage of POAG. Hypotensive therapy included carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, beta-adrenergic antagonists (beta blockers) and alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists (alpha-2 mimetics). Lucentis (ranibizumab) was intravitreally injected thrice at monthly intervals. All patients underwent a standard ophthalmic examination, fluorescent retinal angiography, and optical coherence tomography. IOP was measured before the first and after the last injection by means of Icare PRO reboud tonometer. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups Ia, IIa, Ib, and IIb in terms of IOP elevation. Glaucoma IIc and IIIa patients showed just a moderate increase in IOP that did not require regimen adjustment. There was, however, a single IIIb case of persistent IOP elevation, in which one-step penetrating trabeculectomy with intravitreal ranibizumab injection was later performed. Resolution of macular edema was achieved in all patients. Visual acuity (VA) varied between the groups demonstrating a tendency toward improvement in glaucoma Ia patients (p = 0.062) and stabilization in glaucoma IIa (p = 0.61), Ib (p = 0.07), and IIb (p = 0.29) patients. In some cases of low vision at baseline and subretinal fibrosis, VA changes were of no clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ranibizumab therapy proved effective in exudative age-related macular degeneration with concomitant glaucoma. Timely treatment of both AMD (i.e. before the development of subretinal fibrosis) and glaucoma contributes to therapeutic success in these patients.

[Retinal vein occlusion management algorithm. Part 3. Neovascular complications]. / Algoritm vedeniya patsientov s retinal'nymi venoznymi okklyuziyami. Soobshchenie 3. Neovaskulyarnye oslozhneniya.

Neovascular complications severity in central/branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) correlates with the level of occlusion and the degree of retinal perfusion disturbance. Large areas of retinal non-perfusion (more than half of the total retinal area) are associated with the risk for posterior segment neovascularization as high as 33% and for neovascular glaucoma - 45%. Over the past 30 years there has been an evident declining tendency of neovascular complications rates in the natural course of RVO. In ischemic RVO, anterior segment neovascularization is more aggressive than posterior. Neovascular glaucoma usually develops within the first 6 months of disease and correlates with uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is a standard treatment for anterior and posterior segment neovascularization in RVO patients. Anti-VEGF agents, if used as monotherapy, lead to rapid, however, short-term remission. Combination therapy, that is anti-VEGF injections and PRP, is the most effective. Intravitreal steroids have demonstrated no effect on ocular neovascularization. If PRP cannot be performed and intraocular pressure levels remain high, one should consider glaucoma drainage implant surgery. Preventive measures for neovascular complications that have proved effective so far include regular follow-ups, individually scheduled intravitreal injections, and PRP for large zones of ischemia.

[Retinal vein occlusion management algorithm. Part 1. Classification, diagnosis, and acute-stage treatment]. / Algoritm vedeniya patsientov s retinal'nymi venoznymi okklyuziyami. Soobshchenie 1. Klassifikatsiya, diagnostika i lechenie patsientov v ostryi period.

Considering an upward global trend in cardiovascular disease rates, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in particular, development of therapeutic guidelines is a pressing issue in ophthalmology. Risk factors for RVO include hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, blood disorders, inflammatory disorders, and prescription drug use. Three stages of RVO have been identified. By location, the entity can be divided into three big groups: central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (HCRVO), each being either ischemic or nonischemic. Functional prognosis is better in nonischemic occlusions. Patient management comprises acute-stage treatment (anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, and hemodilution) and struggling with ocular complications (intravitreal injections and laser coagulation). It is essential that primary assessment and follow-up of patients at any stage of RVO include optical coherence tomography and fluorescent angiography.