[The relationship between intraocular pressure and age-related variations in ocular rigidity].

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the correlation between age-related fluctuations in the average values of rigidity of the fibrous tunic of the eye (FTE) and corresponding ranges of true intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy eyes and eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG); using the identified ranges of FTE rigidity, to establish the appropriate IOP zones for healthy and glaucomatous eyes, taking into account the aging periods as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Material And Methods: Ocular-Response Analyzer tonometry was used according to the Koshits-Svetlova dynamic diagnostic method to examine 674 patients with healthy eyes and 518 patients with glaucomatous eyes, aged 18 to 90 years, classified according to the WHO aging periods, and a theoretical analysis was conducted to estimate clinical values of FTE rigidity, the current level of true IOP, and the calculated individual IOP level in a patient's eye during youth.

Results: The following IOP level zones were identified for patients with healthy and glaucomatous eyes: low IOP zone (≤13 mm Hg); medium IOP zone (14-20 mm Hg); elevated IOP zone (21-26 mm Hg); high IOP zone (27-32 mm Hg); subcompensated IOP zone (33-39 mm Hg); and decompensated IOP zone (≥40 mm Hg).

[Morpho-physiological features of the human eye sclera as the key unit in the level of intraocular pressure under normal conditions and in glaucoma].

The results of sclera investigations from the positions of morphology, physiology, biomechanics and control-system theory, are summarized. The morphological evidence was obtained supporting the physiological hypothesis stating that the specific anatomical organization and spatial displacement of elastic fiber-containing scleral layers against one another, are the key elements in formation of the individual level of intraocular pressure (IOP) in man both under normal and pathological conditions. It was shown that the elastic fibers outlined the collagen lamallae in of scleral internal layers.

[Biomechanical studies in present-day ophthalmology].

The human eye is a unique physiological system, in which the major part of structural elements obeys the general laws and regularities of biomechanics. The article offers an analytical review of research and development projects in the field of eye biomechanics accomplished in Russia and other countries over the last five years. The below eight directions of biomechanical studies have been found rapidly progressing in ophthalmology: biomechanics of the cornea; biomechanics of the corneoscleral capsule; biomechanics of the crystalline lens; biomechanics of accommodation; biomechanics of glaucoma; biomechanical modeling of retinal, choroidal and vitreous body detachment; biomechanics of eye injury and oculomotor biomechanics.

[Morpho-functional characteristics of lens ciliary body as a key mechanism of accommodation in human eye].

With the aid of ophthalmological, morphological, biomechanical and regulation theory methods the inconsistency of prevalent concepts on the functional interpretation of morphological structure of ciliary zonule was demonstrated and the scheme of functioning of its elements matching clinical and physiological observations was proposed. The role of anterior and posterior portions of ciliary zonule appears to be functionally essential and consistent with accommodation mechanism proposed by Helmholtz, while the role of cilioequatorial fibers of ciliary zonule is functionally auxiliary. Morphological and constructive peculiarities of ciliary zonule structure confirm the validity of Helmholtz concepts of accommodation mechanism.

[Accommodation in the young age. Norm and pathology].

The review describes the main provisions of theories and understanding related with the physiology and pathology of accommodation from the time of Helmholtz up to the present-day; besides, methods of therapy and prophylaxis in accommodation disturbances in young people are summarized.