July 6, 2026 marked the 105th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished Ukrainian ophthalmologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Iryna Volodymyrivna Klyuka (1921–2002) — a representative of the Filatov School of Ophthalmology, a recognized specialist in pediatric ophthalmology, strabology, and binocular vision restoration.

For almost four decades, Iryna Volodymyrivna devoted her professional life to the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy. From 1950 to 1988, she worked at the Institute, and since 1977 she headed the Laboratory of Binocular Vision Disorders; from 1981, she served as a consultant of the institution.

Iryna Volodymyrivna became one of the leading scientists in the fields of diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, disorders of the oculomotor system, the accommodative-convergence-pupillary system, amblyopia in children and adults, and binocular vision disorders, as well as in research on iridodiagnostics and reflexotherapy in ocular diseases.

A special place in her scientific work was occupied by the improvement of pleoptic and orthoptic treatment of strabismus. Iryna Volodymyrivna developed effective methods for diagnosing and restoring binocular vision, which significantly improved the outcomes of treatment in children and adults with oculomotor disorders and became an important stage in the development of Ukrainian strabology.

A significant contribution of Iryna Volodymyrivna was her research aimed at the early diagnosis of disorders of the sensory and oculomotor components of binocular vision in preschool children. Under her supervision, new methods and diagnostic devices were developed and implemented, significantly expanding the possibilities of early detection of pathology and timely treatment.

Among the most important developments is a device for assessing visual acuity in young children using the method of comparison with a reference standard (the method developed by Academician N. O. Puchkovska and I. V. Klyuka), a modified coordinometer, and a modified Maddox scale adapted for examination of the oculomotor system in preschool-aged children. Iryna Volodymyrivna also improved the method of electrical stimulation of the extraocular muscles, which significantly improved the effectiveness of treatment of concomitant strabismus.

A landmark event was the establishment in 1977 of the Problem Laboratory for the Study of the Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations of Binocular Vision Disorders in Children, organized on the initiative of the Institute’s Director, Academician N. O. Puchkovska, Deputy Director Professor L. T. Kashyntseva, and Doctor of Medical Sciences I. V. Klyuka, in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated June 9, 1977.

Iryna Volodymyrivna became the first Head of the Laboratory (1977–1981), which is now known as the Laboratory of Binocular Vision Disorders. Under her leadership, the main areas of research were established, determining the further development of pediatric ophthalmology and strabology in Ukraine.

The scientific legacy of Iryna Volodymyrivna includes more than 100 scientific publications. Among them are the widely known works “Restoration of Binocular Vision in Concomitant Strabismus”, “Protect Children’s Vision”, as well as methodological recommendations on pleoptic and orthoptic treatment, which for many years served as a practical standard for ophthalmology departments throughout Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Iryna Volodymyrivna and her followers, a strong scientific research direction was developed, focusing on refractogenesis, refractive errors, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia, disorders of the accommodative-convergence-pupillary system, and pathology of the oculomotor apparatus. Based on extensive clinical material, the effectiveness of both conservative treatment methods (ocular correction, orthoptic therapy, prismatic correction, miotic therapy) and surgical treatment of concomitant strabismus was substantiated, forming the basis of modern approaches to the management of such patients.

Iryna Volodymyrivna Klyuka belongs to the generation of scientists who shaped the Filatov School of Ophthalmology in the field of research on binocular vision, strabismus, and functional disorders of the oculomotor system. Her works became the foundation for the further development of pediatric ophthalmology and strabology in Ukraine.

The scientific direction initiated by Iryna Volodymyrivna received worthy continuation at the Filatov Institute. After her, the Laboratory was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences A. S. Seniakina (1981–1986), and since 1986 and to the present day, it has been headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vira Ivanivna Serdiuchenko. A significant contribution to the development of this field was also made by Candidate of Medical Sciences I. A. Viazovskyi, Yu. Ye. Holubenko, as well as current Doctors of Medical Sciences N. M. Bushuieva and I. M. Boichuk, who continuing the traditions of the scientific school founded by Iryna Volodymyrivna Klyuka.

Today, as we mark the 105th anniversary of Iryna Volodymyrivna Klyuka’s birth, we gratefully recall her significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian ophthalmology. Her scientific ideas, clinical innovations, and the school she founded remain the foundation of modern research and clinical practice in the fields of pediatric ophthalmology, strabology, and the restoration of binocular vision, and her name is forever inscribed in the history of the V. P. Filatov Institute and Ukrainian medical science.