Peculiarities of morphofunctional changes of the eye and lamina cribrosa in myopia of various degrees: final report
Authors: Bezditko P.A. , Veselovskaya Z.F. , Gulida A.O. , Panchenko Iu.O. , Kovtun M.I. 
Published: January 2025

Background. Myopia is the most common visual defect. Complicated myopia is one of the main causes of disability due to eye diseases. In case of myopia, the axial length increases, and all membranes are loosened. Lamina cribrosa (LC) undergoes special changes. Clinical assessment of the LC parameters has high diagnostic significance. LC defects, changes in its thickness and depth of location can be well visualized using modern research methods, and therefore, allow us to study these parameters in detail in the norm and with the development of eye pathology. The correlation between the optic disc deformation and LC deformation and its pores remains unknown. It is only known that the severity of the lesion will depend on the degree of damage to the nerve and ganglion fibers and the degree of change in the LC structure. The purpose: to study the features of morphofunctional changes in the eye and lamina cribrosa in myopia of various degrees based on the analysis of morphological and morphometric parameters. Mate­rials and methods. The study consisted of experimental and clinical parts. During the experiment, 42 animals (rabbits) (84 eyes) were studied. A comprehensive diagnostic examination of 120 people (230 eyes) was conducted. The control group included 20 patients without myopia (40 eyes). All patients were of working age, from 18 to 45 years. Patients in the main group received a vitamin complex containing carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamin B preparation. The control group did not receive treatment. Results. When studying the optic disc parameters in patients with different degrees of myopia, the most significant changes occurred in the indicators of GLV, nerve head, optic disc area. The parameters of MD and PSD perimetry differed significantly in all groups. Based on the developed markers, with the help of optical coherence tomography, it was possible to assess the general morphology and position of the LC in patients by measuring its depth and insertion in different meridians. After treatment of patients, statistically significant positive dynamics was revealed, taking into account changes in the indicators of Humphrey perimetry — MD and PSD, as well as a tendency to improve visual acuity, the absence of significant changes in the anterior-posterior segment of the eye, intraocular pressure, average refraction in the main group during the entire treatment period without significant statistical changes. The experimental study on the effect of low doses of atropine revealed the appearance of functionally active fibroblasts with the accumulation of the ground substance and thickening of the bundles of collagen fibers of the sclera and the walls of the LC pores, which is accompanied by thickening of both the sclera and the LC when using 0.5 and 0.01% atropine sulfate solution compared to the control group. Conclusions. LC defects, changes in its thickness and depth of location are well visualized using optical coherence tomography. With the experimental use of 0.01% atropine sulfate, strengthening of the sclera and LC with preservation of the morphofunctional state of the receptor apparatus of the eye was proven, which allows us to consider it advisable to use the selected concentration of the drug in the future in patients with myopia.