Plasma cleaning is considered to be an accurate cleaning method for high-quality applications in medical production. Differences of low-pressure and atmospheric pressure plasma technologies were analyzed. The main purpose of low-pressure plasma cleaning is the removal of thin organic films from surfaces. The positive effect of plasma treatment on the structure of gas permeable contact lenses surface is described in the article. Plasma cleaning, however, is the most suitable process for achieving optimum surface cleanliness. The given data was obtained by practical means.

The clarity of the retinal image decreases as a result of uncorrected astigmatism. It contributes to the deterioration of the quality of vision and to a blurred vision. Thus, a clear vision can be achieved neither at distance nor when looking at nearby objects. Such blurry vision leads to asthenopia, headache, migraine, decreased reading speed and finally can become a cause of learning difficulties for a child or a student. In order to avoid such difficulties, there is a need to correct even a low degree of astigmatism and thus create the conditions under which the binocular system could work properly. First of all, we are talking about the correlation between accommodation, convergence and heterophoria, which should all work in cooperation. Only in conditions of emmetropia, i.e. single focus on the retina, the binocular system can work correctly, reducing symptoms and visual overload.

Purpose: To determine the role that progressive spectacle lenses play in intraocular pressure compensation and stabilization of the glaucomatous process in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) combined with presbyopia and refractive errors.

Material and methods. 29 patients (53 eyes) aged 43 to 67 years with I-II stage POAG and a certain type of refractive error were enrolled into study. All patients had intraocular pressure (IOP) compensated to the target level by medication. Patients of the main group (17 people, 32 eyes) used universal progressive spectacle lenses with optimized surface. The patients of the control group (12 people, 21 eyes) used separate glasses for near and distance vision as a method of ametropia correction. Visual acuity test, refractometry, pneumotonometry, tonography, automated static perimetry were applied for monitoring the patients. The measurements were taken before spectacle correction and a year after its prescription.

Results. A decrease of IOP (p=0.01) and an increase of the aqueous humor outflow coefficient (p<0.01) were determined after one year use of the recommended measure of vision correction in the main group, whereas in the control group there was an increased level of IOP (p<0.05) and a reduced aqueous humor outflow coefficient (p<0.2).

Conclusion. The use of progressive spectacle lenses as a method of permanent vision correction reliably reduces IOP and improves the aqueous humor outflow in patients with early-stage POAG. The absence of negative visual field dynamics indicates the stabilization of the glaucomatous process.

Purpose: To assess the presence of risk factors for ocular hypertension among students inVoronezh and its connection with various types of ametropia.

Material and methods. The present study involved 835 students (454 women, 381 men, 1670 eyes) aged 18 to 27, the average age was 21.2±1.3. Among these students, 442 students (52.9%) had emmetropia, 116 students (13.9%) – hyperopia and 277 students (33.2%) – myopia. The presence of risk factors for the development of glaucoma in medical history was studied using a questionnaire. Complex inspection included visometry, direct ophthalmoscopy, induction-based tonometry.

Results. Slightly more than half of the students in the age group from 18 to 27 years had emmetro-pia, and every fourth had myopia. The IOP level of22 mm Hg and higher was detected using non-contact tonometry in 6.8% of students, 43.9% of them had risk factors for the development of glaucoma. Students with high myopia had 6 times higher risk of glaucoma development compared to those with mild or mode-rate myopia, hyperopia and emmetropia. No reliab-le data on the increase of IOP when comparing it to groups with various types of ametropia was obtained.

Conclusion. According to the screening results of 835 students, the risk factors for glaucoma and other eye diseases were studied and analyzed, refractive errors were revealed, IOP was evaluated with an Icare tonometer, the relation of IOP with ametropia type, visual acuity and visual acuity with habitual correction was studied.

Purpose. To estimate the possibility of optical correction of an irregular surface of a cornea at prima-ry ectasia (keratoconus) and secondary ectasia (a consequence of radial keratotomy (RKT) and Kerato-plasty) for improvement of the maximum of visual acuity.

Material and methods. In the study the scleral gas-permeable lenses (SGCL) were fitted to 60 pa tients: 45 men and 15 women. 46 patients had various stage of keratoconus and 14 patients had the kera-tectasia after RKT. Keratoplasty was earlier carried out on 5 eyes of the patients. Criteria of successful selection of SGCL were achievement of steadily high visual acuity, comfort of carrying and the optimal clearance in apical zone, in the limbal and landing zone on the conjunctiva.

The results. In the course of the study, the ma-ximum visual acuity in all patients was achieved by mini-SGCL correction irrespective of type of keratoektasia. All patients observed visual comfort compared with spectacle correction or correction with other types of contact lenses.

Conclusion. Scleral gas-permeable contact lenses are the main method of correction in patients with irregular corneas and provide the best visual acuity. 

Low visual acuity, loss of the central visual field, metamorphopsia, distortion of lines and decreased contrast sensitivity cause reduced quality of vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Currently existing methods of visual rehabilitation for patients with AMD, such as telescopic intraocular and scleral lenses, are functionally and cosmetically unacceptable. The use of intraocular telescopic lenses is limited by the high risk of postoperative complications, low functional parameters, as well as by difficult ophthalmoscopy and lasting adaptation of patients. Telescopic scleral lenses have а low resolution, contain parts impermeable to oxygen and require wearing special switching glasses. However, scleral lenses have potential in developing an optimal method for vision correction in patients with AMD due to the presence of following advantages: wide optical zone, gas permeability, correction of refractive astigmatism in presbyopic patients and alleviation of dry eye symptoms. In conclusion, further clinical research is required to develop a method for improving the quality of vision in patients with AMD by using scleral lenses with an objective test for evaluating the effectiveness of correction – the 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid test (3D-CTAG).