Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a rare hereditary retinal disease characterized by polymorphism of clinical manifestations and varied  prognoses. Diagnosing FEVR is particularly difficult when it manifests itself at  an early age.

Purpose: to analyze the clinical manifestations of FEVR in the first year of a child’s life.

Material and methods. 69 children with FEVR were observed at the  Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases from January  2012 to February 2020.

Results. 15 children (2 girls and 13 boys, 22 % of all those observed) showed ophthalmic changes in their first year. The age of the patients revealing the first clinical signs ranged from 1 week to 8 months (the median was 4 months). 4 eyes (15 %) were found to have stage I of the disease, 9 (33 %) — stage II, 4 (15 %) — stage III, 7 (26 %) — stage IV, and 3 (11 %) — stage V. Stages III to V associated with bad functional prognosis were found in half of the cases (52 %), the earliest symptoms were detected at the age of 3 weeks.

Conclusions. While FEVR is a severe and potentially progressive disease,  its  diagnosis during the 1st year of life is important and requires improvement.  Early diagnosis is complicated by the fact that the etiological and pathogenetic aspects of the disease are underresearched, which makes it  necessary to focus on studying the factors contributing to the development and progression of FEVR. 

 The purpose is to estimate the content of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 , IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, ICAM-1, VEGF) in the tear liquid of patients with advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and  complicated primary cataract after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation performed simultaneously with vitreoretinal surgery vs. vitreoretinal surgery  alone.

Material and methods. 34 patients  with PDR and complicated primary  cataract were divided into two groups. Group 1 received a two-phase  surgical procedure: (a) vitreoretinal surgery (VRS) with silicone oil tamponade followed by (b) phacoemulsification surgery, IOL implantation and silicone oil removal. Group 2 was subjected to (a) phacoemulsification simultaneously with vitreoretinal surgery and silicone oil tamponade and (b) silicone oil  removal from the vitreous cavity. Both groups had their tear liquid samples examined before the surgery and on the 2nd day after the 1stphase. 

Results. Group 2 revealed a 2 to 2.5 times higher concentration of IL-8, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 as compared to Group 1. 

Conclusion. Increased concentrations of IL-8, MCP-1, and ICAM-1 in the tear  after phacoemulsification surgery and IOL implantation coupled with  vitreoretinal surgery as compared to vitreoretinal surgery alone requires additional research of the role played by the inflammatory component in the  pathogenesis of postsurgical complications in advanced PDR patients. 

Purpose: to determine the changes in electrophysiological parameters reflecting specific dysfunctions of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at advanced stages of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON).

Material and methods. The study involved 35 patients (55 eyes) aged 51–76 (63.1 ± 7.7 years) with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), divided into two subgroups depending on POAG stages: developed (24 patients, 27 eyes) and advanced stages (24 patients, 28 eyes). The age-matched control group (aged 51–72, 59.8 ± 5.9) included 28 relatively healthy individuals (32 eyes). Transient and steady-state pattern ERG (PERG) and photopic negative response (PhNR) were recorded according to ISCEV standards.

Results. A decrease in the amplitude of the transient PERG's N95 and P50-waves and steady-state PERG was found, the degree of which showed an inverse dependence on the angular size of the stimulus, which clearly distinguished the developed and advanced POAG stages from the initial GON. The developed stages are characterized by a decrease in the PhNR amplitude, calculated from the baseline, and the PhNR/b index, the reduction of which was the more significant the greater the intensity of the flash. A significant delay of the N95 peak for patterns of all angular sizes and a less pronounced lengthening of the latency of the P50 wave (significant only for small stimuli 0.8° and 0.3°) in comparison with the age norm were found. The latencies of the steady-state PERG and PhNR practically did not differ from the age norm values.

Conclusion. The revealed reduction in the amplitudes of N95 and P50 waves of transient and steady-state PERG, PhNR, and the PhNR/b index, as well as an increase in the peak latency of N95 and P50 waves of transient PERG, may be markers of functional changes in the retina associated with non-adaptive plasticity or reflecting a combination of the processes of adaptive plasticity and degeneration of RGCs. Further research in this area will help give a more accurate characterization of the found regularities and apply the obtained results in clinical practice.

Purpose: to estimate the demand for preservative-free medical therapy of glaucoma in real clinical practice as part of the analysis of the compliance of specialized medical care of glaucoma patients and the approved clinical guidelines.

Material and methods. Head non-staff ophthalmologists in 34 regions of Russia were surveyed to find out the share of patients with a newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma; systemic contraindications; diseases of ocular surface tissues; using combination therapy if monotherapy proves ineffective. Also, we analyzed the current annual need for glaucoma treatment drugs in Russia and estimated the expected need for these drugs.

Results. The survey showed that, on average, (1) 64.35 % of glaucoma patients are prescribed monotherapy; (2) in the presence of systemic contraindications, nonselective beta-blockers are avoided in 85 % of cases; (3) ca. 53 % of glaucoma patients require preservative-free therapy; (4) almost 61 % of patients for whom monotherapy proved ineffective are prescribed combination therapy. As shown by calculated annual and projected demand for antiglaucomatous drugs in 2020, the leading position is taken by timolol (43.96 %), followed by dorzolamide (38.04 %), and tafluprost (11.93 %). Diseases of the ocular surface in glaucoma patients with glaucoma averaged 52.6 % in the surveyed regions.

Conclusion. The actual demand for preservative-free therapy in clinical practice in the analyzed regions is higher than the annual and predicted need as it is required by about 54% of all patients with glaucoma. Further epidemiological, pharmacological and economic studies of ocular surface disease incidence in patients with glaucoma and of the demand for preservative-free therapy are required in order to solve the issue of drug supply in regions of Russia.

Testing patients with primary geographic atrophy (GA) requires a multimodal approach and identification of functional biomarkers characterizing retinal structural remodeling.

Purpose: to identify the changes in the functional activity of the retinal cone system, which may serve as biomarkers of primary GA in non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Material and methods. We tested 22 patients (30 eyes) aged 45–83 (ave. 72.1 ± 10.8 years) with non-exudative AMD and 18 age matched controls (60.2 ± 7.6 years) all of which underwent standard ophthalmological examinations, optical coherence tomography, autofluorescence study, and fundus photography. Standard photopic ERGs, photopic flicker ERGs to stimuli with frequencies of 8.3, 10, 12, and 24 Hz, multifocal ERG (mfERG), and electrooculogram (EOG) were recorded.

Results. Electroretinographic signs for GA of retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillary layer atrophy were described. The results confirm early impairment of the activity of cones in GA and weakening of the functional interaction of M ller cells with the cone bipolar cells. The delayed P1 peak latency of mfERG indicates a decrease in the entire central retina function in non-exudative AMD. A selective reduction in the fovea's mfERG magnitude can serve as a biomarker of primary GA. The spread of the P1 anomaly to adjacent rings may indicate a possible risk of disease progression. A decrease in the dark trough on the EOG and an increase in the Arden ratio can serve as a biomarker of primary GA.

Conclusion. We determined electrophysiological signs which can serve as markers of early retinal dysfunction in eyes with primary GA and non-exudative AMD.

Purpose: to study angioarchitectonics of choroidal melanoma with varied biometric characteristics by comparing the results of indocyanine green angiography (IAG) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

Material and methods. Angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography was performed in 45 choroidal melanoma patients (45 eyes, 20 men, 25 women, mean age 57.36 ± 15.11 years) to see the features of angioarchitectonics for various tumor elevations: up to 3 mm (small choroidal melanomas) and within the 3.1– 5.0 mm range (medium choroidal melanomas) and assess the informative value of the techniques.

Results. We established a high diagnostic value of angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography in the diagnosis of vasculature of choroidal melanoma (89% and 71 %, respectively), an acceptable significance in small choroidal melanomas, and a higher informative value of angiography with indocyanine green in medium choroidal melanomas. The vasculature of small choroidal melanomas is characterized by type 1 angioarchitectonics predominance (59 %), while that of medium-sized melanomas corresponds to type 2 angioarchitectonics (81 %). The pattern match in angiography with indocyanine green and OCT angiography took place in 93.8 % of patients. The average depth of vessel identification during OCT angiography was determined to stay within the range of 186 μm for choroidal melanomas of up to 1.9 mm high, 220 μm for melanomas between 2 and 3 mm high, and 255 μm for melanomas higher than 3 mm.

Conclusions. The use of contrast and non-contrast angiography in assessing the vasculature of choroidal melanoma is highly informative and useful for the assessment of the type of angioarchitectonics. The use of OCT angiography is more informative for tumors with an elevation of up to 3 mm. In order to increase the accuracy and effectiveness of OCTA, the identification of newly formed vessels should be carried out with regard to the parameters established.

Purpose: to assess the thickness of the central region of the retina and choroid, the layer of nerve fibers in the macular and peripapillary regions, the density of the superficial and deep plexus of the retina and the choroid in congenital and acquired myopia and see how they are related with the refraction and axial length of the eye.

Material and methods. 33 patients aged 6 to 16 (averagely, 12.07 ± 3.09 years) were divided into 3 groups: 1) with congenital myopia (23 eyes), 2) with acquired myopia (9 eyes), and 3) the control group with emmetropia (20 eyes). Chorioretinal and hemodynamic parameters were determined using an RS-3000 Advance 2 spectral optical coherence tomograph (Nidek, Japan). Correlation analysis was performed using Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient (r).

Results. Structural changes in the sensory and vascular membranes of the eye were revealed in both myopic groups as compared to the control group. Of the two clinical groups, more severe structural disorders were found in congenital myopia. Hemodynamic parameters revealed abnormalities in the deep retinal layers, as well as in the choriocapillary layer. The comparative analysis showed that morphological changes in the posterior pole have a stronger correlation with anatomical parameters as compared to optical ones.

Conclusion. Optical coherence tomography is an informative method of differential diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of changes in the posterior pole in myopia.

Purpose: to study the long-term changes of functional, structural, and hemodynamic parameters of the optic nerve in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) accompanied by diabetes mellitus (DM).

Material and methods. The study involved 258 patients (258 eyes), which were divided into five groups: 1st group — 58 patients with stage I POAG and DM; 2nd group — 50 patients (50 eyes) with stage I POAG; 3rd — 50 patients with stage III POAG and DM; 4th — 50 patients with stage III POAG; 5th — 50 patients with DM. In addition to a complete ophthalmological examination, the patients underwent spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography of the optic nerve head and macula. The observation period was 24 months.

Results. The worst decrease in maximally corrected visual acuity was noted in patients with DM + POAG (groups 1 and 3): in 1 year of observation — stage I — 10.29%, stage III — 7.32 %, in control groups with isolated POAG stages I and III, 1.15 and 2.04%, respectively, in patients with DM, 1.39%; in 2nd year — 14.71 and 14.63% with a comorbid course of the disease and 1.15 and 4.08% in the absence of DM, respectively. The MD index in the group DM + POAG stage I after 12 months was significantly lower compared to patients with stage I POAG (by 5.05%), after 24 months by 12.12, 0.34 and 1.69%, respectively (p £ 0.05). The groups of comorbid patients showed lower average thickness levels of the retinal nerve fibers layer than in the control groups: 78.81 ± 11.39 μm at stage I and 63.08 ± 10.32 μm at stage III. A similar pattern was noted for the thickness of the neuroretinal rim and its areas as well indicators of the optic disc excavation (volume and c/d ratio).No significant difference was noted in the density of the optic nerve disc perfusion in stages I and III POAG with DM against the respective control groups during the first visit, but we noted a significantly lower vascular density in patients with the initial stage of POAG and DM (0.39 ± 0.04 / mm) than in patients with isolated glaucoma (0.42 ± 0.03 / mm). As the disease progressed, there was a further significant decrease in the average indicators of optic nerve disc perfusion and vascular density (group 3: 39.17 ± 3.43% and 0.33 ± 0.03 / mm).

Conclusion. The study of the changes of visual, functional, structural and hemodynamic parameters of the optic nerve showed a faster rate of progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy if accompanied with DM.

Purpose. To report central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in uveitis patients.

Material and methods. A retrospective chart review of uveitis patients seen in a time frame of 20 years at the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care, Lausanne, Switzerland. The ophthalmic and systemic features are presented.

Results. Out of 1793 uveitis patients followed at the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care, 6 patients (0.3%) developed CSСR following corticosteroid therapy due to uveitis. The mean age of patients was 40 ± 13.4 years, disease incidence was not associated with gender. In all 6 patients’ clinical disease was unilateral but subclinical signs were present in all fellow eyes. The mean duration of corticosteroid therapy before CSCR had occurred was 4.95 ± 4.0 months. The mean best-corrected visual acuity at the moment of CSCR was 0.6 ± 0.26 and 0.8 ± 0.17 after discontinuation of corticosteroids. Neurosensory retinal detachment and pigment epithelium detachment were observed in 3 eyes, respectively. During fluorescein angiography (FA), focal dye leakage and areas of alteration of RPE were observed in 6 out of 10 eyes. Diffuse hyperfluorescence of choroidal vessels observed by ICGA was detected in all eyes.

Conclusion. Central serous chorioretinopathy should be suspected when functional and morphological deterioration occurs in uveitis patients receiving corticosteroid therapy with no signs of inflammation reactivation. This complication is extremely rare but serious condition which needs a prompt tapering and discontinuing of corticosteroids.

 The paper describes the details of observation and surgical treatment of a patient with an established diagnosis of melanoma of the iris and ciliary body. The presence of neoplasm growth signs required a surgical treatment, which helped preserve the eye and its visual functions. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a modern informative method for observing neoplasms of the iridociliary zone. A timely performed block excision provides a good anatomical and functional result. 

 Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD) is an extensive group of genetically heterogeneous diseases with significant clinical polymorphism. With the development of gene therapy, a new era in the treatment of hereditary  human diseases has opened. To date, clinical studies of a number of gene  medications are performed the world over, including those intended for the  treatment of hereditary eye diseases (Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa, achromatopsia, Stargardt's disease, choroideremia, etc.). The varieties of two former conditions, specifically LCA type 2 and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) type 20 with biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene belong to IRD. Epidemiological studies indicate the rarity of these diseases, which explains why IRD caused by biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene are  included into the list of rare (orphan) diseases of the Russian Ministry of Health. For these IRDs, a gene replacement therapy has been developed:  voretigen neparvovek, which must only be applied once. Currently, the Medical Genetic Research Center and Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases have identified a group of patients who meet the  criteria for genetic therapy. In 2021, а specialized gene therapy center has been established at the Helmholtz Research Center, which was certified by the Ministry of Health. A group of leading experts in the field of inherited retinal diseases and medical genetics developed and approved at  professional workshops a number of measures that promote the introduction into clinical practice of the voretigen neparvovek as a gene replacement therapy for the treatment of RPE65-related IRD in the Russian Federation. 

Purpose: to analyze the main subjective manifestations of computer vision syndrome (CVS).

Materials and methods. We examined 100 patients aged 24–36, whose daily professional activity (at least for 2 years) involved visual-intensive work associated with electronic display systems (at least 4 hours a day) and requiring a sufficiently high responsibility level. All patients had complaints characteristic of asthenopia in CVS, indicating the stages of subcompensation or decompensation (in accordance with the recommendations of the Expert Council for Accommodation and Refraction of All-Russian Public Organization “Association of Ophthalmologists”). Each patient underwent an individual interview which was conducted according to the standard technique in order to identify the range of complaints that arise from long-term work with a computer.

Results. The most common ocular (visual) subjective manifestations included the foreign body sensation, “sand” and itching in the eye; dry eyes; tiredness of vision; redness of the eyeballs; tension of eye muscles; “cramps”, burning in the eye — (which was mentioned by 100% of the testees). Other manifestations were somatic (headache — 89%; pain in the neck and the back — 79%), professional (patients wishing to interrupt work or take a break — 83%; periodic loss of visual concentration — 77%) and medico-psychological (the fear of vision deterioration — 65%).

Conclusion. The established subjective manifestations improve the prospects of CVS diagnostics and can serve as basis for assessing the quality of life of patients engaged in vision intensive work.

Essentially mesodermal iris dystrophy (EMID) is a type of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and has a chronic progressing character. It is observable after a local fibrosis is formed in the outer border of the iris, which subsequently causes the peripheral iris to pull up and leads to pupil deformation.

Purpose: to evaluate the outcome of modern high-tech surgical treatment, which improves visual functions, prevents the decompensation of intraocular pressure and ensures a cosmetic effect.

Materials and methods. Patient R., 48 yrs, was diagnosed with OU EMID, low hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. In order to prevent the development of secondary glaucoma and correct refractive anomalies, the patient was subjected to phacoemulsification with implantation of a multifocal toric IOL, synechiotomy, and iris plastic surgery. MTIOL was calculated using the VERION™ Image Guided System navigation computing complex (Alcon, USA) and the IOLMaster® 700 optical biometer (Carl ZEISS, Germany).

Results. In early post-surgery period, the patient noted an increase in visual acuity, stabilized by the 6th month, a significant decrease of undesirable optical phenomena (glare, halo) and was satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic result. The level of intraocular pressure also stabilized by the 6th month after surgery and remained within the reference range by the 9th month. No intraoperative complications were observed. Control UBM scans showed transparent OU cornea, anterior chamber being shallower than the average depth, exfoliated stroma of the iris, moderate anterior chamber angle, intact ciliary body, centrally located pupil, IOL in capsule bag.

Conclusion. The case describes a successful outcome of surgical treatment of a rare variety of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, increase in visual functions, achievement of the desired cosmetic effect, and improvement in the quality of life of the working age patient.

 A clinical case of rare genetic disease, Fraser syndrome, in a 1.5-month-old infant is presented. Fraser syndrome is a congenital pathology characterized by diverse clinical symptoms, which involves a combination of acrofacial and urogenital abnormalities and may be accompanied by cryptophtalmos (anophthalmos or microphthalmos). A complex clinical and instrumental examination of the infant revealed the following ophthalmic manifestation of the Fraser syndrome: congenital abnormalities of eyelids, reduced palpebral fissures, significant reduction of the conjunctival sac, microcornea, vitreous fibrosis and retinal detachment. Non-surgical treatment and rehabilitation of infants with congenital microphthalmos consists in stepwise ocular prosthetics. 

Purpose: to study the results of surgical treatment and the course of healing of primary and recurrent pterygium.

Material and methods. 97 patients (117 eyes) with varying degrees of pterygium, of which 58 were men and 39 women, were clinically observed for 1 to 3 years. The patients, aged 51.5 ± 4.2 on average, were divided into 3 groups depending on the degree of pterygium, the frequency of relapses and the type of surgical treatment.

Results. It was shown that primary pterygium of the I degree should best be operated according to McReynolds method, pterygium of the II degree or higher should optimally be removed with conjunctival plastics by a free flap grafting, while for recurrent pterygium of the III degree or higher, combined treatment is recommended: removal of the pterygium using brachytherapy.

Conclusion. For an adequate functional result of surgery, an individual approach is required for each case depending on pterygium proliferation stage.

Purpose: to evaluate the prospects of customized Finalfit based ablation for optical rehabilitation of a patient with corneal surface errors caused by intrasurgical microtome-induced damage of a corneal flap during a LASIK excimer laser correction of vision.

Material and methods. In Helmholtz Center, a patient with such damage was given a phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) combined with topographyguided photorefractive keratectomy.

Results. In two months after the surgery, the patient’s uncorrected visual acuity rose from 0.15 to 1.0; the spherical component of refraction changed from -3.5 to +1.0 D, the cylindrical component of refraction fell from 1.75 to 0.25 D. Aberrometry demonstrated a decrease of RMS from 2.19 to 0.61 D, Total HOAs from 2.281 to 0.829; Tilt from 0.406 to 0.313; HOA from 1.152 to 0.247, Coma from 0.298 to 0.124, Trefoil from 1.088 to 0.094, SA from 0,127 to 0,021.

Conclusion. The clinical case demonstrates the expediency and efficiency of corneal remodeling for the rehabilitation of induced errors of the corneal surface by excimer laser correction of vision based on PTK (Flex scan) + FinalFit after corneal refractive surgery.

It has recently been proposed to use ultraviolet (UVA) corneal collagen crosslinking as an alternative method of treating bacterial ulcerative lesions of the cornea. Ambivalent results regarding the efficacy and safety of this method of treatment limit its implementation in clinical practice so far.

The purpose of this work is to analyze three clinical cases involving the use of a new device for local UVA crosslinking in the complex treatment of bacterial corneal protracted-course ulcers with the suspected development of mixed fungal infection.

Material and methods. For a dynamic follow-up of patients, we used biomicroscopy with a fluorescein test, photo registration and optical coherence tomography of the anterior part of the eye. Inflammatory changes were assessed using a point scale.

Results. 3–5 procedures of local UVA exposure (with instillations of 0.1% riboflavin solution) lasting 3–5 minutes each and given with an interval of 2–4 days ensured stable and fast epithelialization of the cornea and a significant increase in visual acuity in the inflammatory process outcome.

Conclusion. The first results of treating bacterial corneal ulcers using a new portable device for local UVA crosslinking have shown its high therapeutic efficiency and good prospects for further use in clinical practice.

The results of comparative studies of the structural and biomechanical features of the corneoscleral eye shell in various clinical forms of glaucoma are presented. The article discusses how the systemic and local imbalance of trace elements that regulate collagen biosynthesis, the formation of cross-links in the connective tissue structures of the sclera, and the hydrodynamics of the intraocular fluid, affect the intraocular pressure level, and thereby the character of the development of glaucomatous lesions in normal tension glaucoma. Modern literature is shown to indicate the prospects for further research in this direction.

 The review analyzes current literature data on the relationship between gender and glaucoma incidence, and assesses the demographic and behavioral factors that may contribute to gender differences. Potential risks for the development and progression of glaucoma in men and women have been identified in numerous studies, the main ones being age, gender, and race. The prevalence of glaucoma in the world among people aged 40 to 80 years is higher than in other age groups and will grow steadily. Women are more likely to suffer from closed-angle glaucoma, while primary open-angle glaucoma is more common in men. Further genetic studies of this disease will provide a better understanding of the underlying pathomorphic  mechanisms and may improve therapeutic approaches in the future.  Individuals with the highest risk of developing glaucoma should be checked by an ophthalmologist in time for early detection and slowing the  progression of the disease. 

 The invention of OCT angiography (OCTA) was a milestone in studying the early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The latest findings show significant changes in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters (FAZ area, FAZ perimeter, acirculatory index, axis ratio, FAZ angle) in diabetes mellitus patients with no ophthalmoscopic signs of DR. Many studies evaluate vessel density in superficial and deep plexuses in these patients using different methods of image processing and different qualitative and quantitative parameters. Nonperfusion areas (NA) are very  important findings at the preclinical stage of DR, which can be detected in superficial and deep layers. With OCT-A it is possible not only to reveal them but also to calculate their area. Vascular tortuosity (VT) was described earlier using fundus photography. Nowadays VT can be assessed at the microcirculation level in OCT-A scans. Microaneurysms are the earliest clinical sign of DR. They can be missed in fundus photos, but easily detected with OCT-A. The aim of the current review is to analyze the latest OCT-A findings at the preclinical stage of DR and to discuss the future diagnostic value of OCT-A in DR. 

 In the fourth, final part of the review (for the previous three parts, see ROJ 2020; 13 (2): 99–104, ROJ 2020; 13 (4): 105–110, and ROJ 2021; 14 (2): 103–109), we consider the changes in visual acuity under the lasting presence of epimacular membranes (EMM), the impact of presurgical visual acuity on the prognosis of visual functions after EMM removal, as well as indications for surgical treatment of EMM depending on visual acuity. 

With this article, the Journal is commemorating the 200^th anniversary of Hermann von Helmholtz, the genius scientist of the 19^th century. The article outlines the main facts of his biography, and discusses the major areas of his activity in a variety of branches of science, testifying the versatility of his talent. Special attention is given to Helmholtz’ contribution into the development of ophthalmology. The importance of his collaboration with prominent researchers of his time, including those descending from Russia, is emphasized.