The accurate diagnosis of keratoconus, especially in its early stages of development, allows one to utilise timely and proper treatment strategies for slowing the progression of the disease and provide visual rehabilitation. Various keratometry indices and classifications for quantifying the severity of keratoconus have been developed. Today, many of them involve the use of the latest methods of computer processing and data analysis. The main purpose of this work was to develop a machine-learning-based algorithm to precisely determine the stage of keratoconus, allowing optimal management of patients with this disease. A multicentre retrospective study was carried out to obtain a database of patients with keratoconus and to use machine-learning techniques such as principal component analysis and clustering. The created program allows for us to distinguish between a normal state; preclinical keratoconus; and stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the disease, with an accuracy in terms of the AUC of 0.95 to 1.00 based on keratotopographer readings, relative to the adapted Amsler–Krumeich algorithm. The predicted stage and additional diagnostic criteria were then used to create a standardised keratoconus management algorithm. We also developed a web-based interface for the algorithm, providing us the opportunity to use the software in a clinical environment.

Purpose — to analyze the effectiveness of artificial tear drops HYLOPARIN-COMOD® in the complex medical support of the FemtoLASIK operation based on monitoring of clinical, functional and morphometric indicators of the eye surface’s condition. Patients and methods. The study included 25 patients (50 eyes) who underwent a keratorefractive surgery (Femto-LASIK) and were prescribed instillations of artificial tear drops HILOPARIN-COMOD®. To analyze the effectiveness of artificial tear drops HYLOPARIN-COMOD® in the complex medical support of the Femto-LASIK operation based on monitoring of clinical, functional and morphometric indicators of the eye surface’s condition: UCVA, BCVA, Schirmer’s II test, tear break-up time (Norn’s test), OCT pachymetry of the cornea and corneal flap. The treatment effectiveness was evaluated at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months after the surgery. Results. As a result of the treatment, the following refractive data were obtained: UCVA increased from 0.09 ± 0.02 to 0.94 ± 0.07 on the first day after surgery and to 0.96 ± 0.04 and 0.99 ± 0.07 to 1 and 3 months of follow-up, BCVA respectively, from 0.97 ± 0.04 to 0.94 ± 0.07, 0.97 ± 0.07 and 0.99 ± 0.07 after surgery. A faster restoration of the cornea and corneal valve was revealed, as evidenced by a decrease in their thickness already in the 1st week after surgery in comparison with the control group, where were more pronounced changes occur only by the 1st and 3rd month of observation (p ≤ 0.05). There was a significant increase in the basal secretion of the lacrimal gland (Schirmer’s II test) from 10.16 ± 1.33 to 11.66 ± 1.13 and 12.88 ± 0.96 µm by 1 and 3 months after surgical treatment, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). The Norn’s test increased from 10.89 ± 1.94 to 12.78 ± 1.59 and 13.83 ± 0.5 s to 1 and 3 months of treatment, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion. The effectiveness of the HILOPARIN-COMOD® use in the correction of the dry eye syndrome after keratorefractive operations has been proven. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that the HILOPARIN-COMOD® preparation enhances not only the stability of the tear film, but also the restoration of the OCT morphometric parameters of the thickness of the cornea and corneal flap.

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In this review, we analyzed the domestic and foreign literature on the use of corneal lenticula obtained by keratorefractive surgery using the SMILE technology (SMall Incision Lenticula Extraction). Research is being actively carried out on the use of a lenticular tissue for refractive purposes: for the correction of hyperopia (LIKE – Lenticular Intrastromal Keratoplasty), for the correction of presbyopia (PEARL – PrEsbyopic Allogenic Refractive Lenticule). A significant amount of works are devoted to the use of lenticular tissue for the treatment of keratectasias of various origins. For example, a number of authors for the treatment of keratoconus suggest implantation of a lenticule into the recipient’s corneal pocket formed by a femtolaser (SLAK – Stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty). Clinical cases of combined treatment are described: implantation of a lenticule and corneal intrastromal segments for the treatment of corneal pellucid degeneration. A large number of works are devoted to the use of lenticules for tectonic coverage of ulcerative defects, marginal thinning in Mooren’s ulcer. Several clinical cases of the use of a corneal lenticule to cover a deep corneal defect in recurrent pterygium are described. This review also included articles on the storage and decellularization of corneal lenticules. The analyzed articles show a wide area of application of the corneal lenticule; however, more research is required in each of the areas of application, and it is also necessary to solve the problem of procurement and storage of lenticular tissue.

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