Based on the data of the National Forest Inventory, this paper presents the basic characteristics of forest ecosystems in Serbia by different qualitative and quantitative parameters. The following parameters were dealt with: land use, forest ownership, origin, naturalness, preservation status, mixture and structural form of forests, percentage of tree species, stand category, volume distribution by diameter degrees, as well as the quantity of dead wood and carbon stock in the forests of Ser?bia. The analysis of the presented state enables the definition of some of strategic problems which individually and acting together burden our forest ecosystems, and whose detailed elaboration, measures and methods of enhancement will be fully expressed in the highest planning document - National Forest Programme. A special section, but without being sufficiently analytical, presents the main data on the growing stock of the Autonomous Province Kosovo and Metohija taken from the Report of the Norwegian Forestry Group.

This paper reviews the latest trends and applications of silicone in ophthalmology, especially related to intraocular lenses (IOLs). Silicone, or siloxane elastomer, as a synthetic polymer, has excellent biocompatibility, high chemical inertness, and hydrophobicity, enabling wide biomedical applications. The physicochemical properties of silicone are reviewed. A review of methods for mechanical and in vivo characterization of IOLs is presented as a prospective research area, since there are only a few available technologies, even though these properties are vital to ensure medical safety and suitability for clinical use, especially if long-term function is considered. IOLs represent permanent implants to replace the natural lens or for correcting vision, with the first commercial foldable lens made of silicone. Biological aspects of posterior capsular opacification have been reviewed, including the effects of the implanted silicone IOL. However, certain issues with silicone IOLs are still challenging and some conditions can prevent its application in all patients. The latest trends in nanotechnology solutions have been reviewed. Surface modifications of silicone IOLs are an efficient approach to further improve biocompatibility or to enable drug-eluting function. Different surface modifications, including coatings, can provide long-term treatments for various medical conditions or medical diagnoses through the incorporation of sensory functions. It is essential that IOL optical characteristics remain unchanged in case of drug incorporation and the application of nanoparticles can enable it. However, clinical trials related to these advanced technologies are still missing, thus preventing their clinical applications at this moment.

Serous retinal detachment is an unusual cause of visual loss in preeclampsia. We report the case of 24-years-old primipara with severe preeclampsia who developed bilateral serous retinal detachment a few hours after delivery. A few weeks after delivery there was spontaneous resorption of the subretinal fluid and complete resolution bilateral serous retinal detachment, with residual pigmentary changes of the retinal pigment epithelium. Visual acuity was normal in each eye.The management of retinal detachment as a complication in preeclampsia is conservative and the prognosis is usually good.

Background and Objectives: The main cause of the vision loss in diabetics is the development of diabetic macular edema, regardless of the stage of diabetic retinopathy. The paper aimed to examine whether the additional intravitreal application of triamcinolone acetonide to continuous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy could improve therapeutic outcomes for pseudophakic eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema. Materials and Methods: twenty-four pseudophakic eyes with refractory diabetic macular edema, that had appeared despite three previously administered intravitreal injections of aflibercept, were divided into two groups (twelve eyes in each group). The first group continued to have aflibercept administered according to a fixed dosing regimen (once in two months). Triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/0.1 mL (administered once per four months) was included for the second group, i.e., their treatment continued with a combination of aflibercept + triamcinolone acetonide. Results: The reduction in central macular thickness was higher in the eyes treated with combined therapy (aflibercept + triamcinolone acetonide) compared with the use of aflibercept alone during the entire 12-month follow-up period (3rd month p = 0.019; 6th month p = 0.023; 9th month p = 0.027; 12th month p = 0.031). As was evident from the p-values, the differences were statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was recorded for visual acuity: 3rd month p = 0.423; 6th month p = 0.392; 9th month p = 0.413; 12th month p = 0.418. Conclusions: Combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and steroid therapy leads to a better anatomical outcome of persistent diabetic macular edema in pseudophakic eyes, but does not lead to a more significant improvement in visual acuity than continuous anti-VEGF therapy alone.

This paper presents short review of the OCT technology concepts, including the recently emerging low-cost OCT devices. Technology concept of Fourier-domain OCT, based on spectral interferometry, is presented: spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) and swept-source OCT (SS-OCT). Technical properties of the recently developed low-cost OCT solutions are reviewed. Advanced OCT measurements in clinical ophthalmology are discussed, with relevant case studies. Further research directions that consider AI-based methods in OCT imaging is briefly presented.

Aim: We aimed to analyze the effects of adjunctive posterior sub-Tenon capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection in the treatment of intermediate uveitis macular edema in multiple sclerosis patients that could not be controlled by systemic corticosteroid medications and immunomodulators. Methods: The study included 30 eyes of 25 patients with multiple sclerosis who received a posterior sub-Tenon injection of 40 mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide. Parameters monitored for therapy efficiency were best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central foveal thickness (CFT), and fluorescein angiography (FA) scores. Results: Mean best-corrected visual acuity was significantly improved at the control visit 0.15 ± 0.10 versus baseline 0.40 ± 0.20 logMAR (p < 0.05). Six eyes showed intraocular pressure spikes requiring topical antiglaucomatous treatment. Mean CFT and FA scores were significantly decreased versus baseline (CFT: 345 ± 50 μm; FA score: 3.4 ± 1.0) compared with the 12-week control visit (CFT: 219 ± 35 μm; FA score: 1.6 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Posterior sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide significantly improved visual acuity and decrease macular edema in patients with intermediate uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis.