April 26, 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident- one of the largest technological catastrophes in human history.

The 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe became a unique and unprecedented event in terms of its scale and the number of people affected, with no equivalent in global practice. Its long-term impact on the health of children, the most vulnerable part of the population, was particularly noticeable. Years of observation have demonstrated an increase in the incidence of diseases across all major classes of disorders, along with a decline in the proportion of practically healthy children.

A characteristic feature of the health status of affected individuals is the coexistence of multiple pathologies simultaneously, ranging from three to seven nosological conditions. The incidence of musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders increased significantly due to exposure to radionuclides, particularly strontium-90 and cesium-137. Radiation exposure disrupts phosphorus–calcium metabolism, reduces bone tissue strength, and adversely affects the functional state of muscles and connective tissue.

Ionizing radiation is recognized as a powerful pro-oxidant factor that triggers free-radical processes in the body, particularly lipid peroxidation. Children living in contaminated territories were found to exhibit intensified oxidative processes accompanied by decreased antioxidant system activity, as well as various manifestations of immune imbalance.

The researchers' particular attention was drawn to the impact of these changes on the visual system. Refractive disorders, particularly shortsightedness, were studied in relation to the overall physical condition of the body, physical development, immune status, and biochemical parameters. However, for a long time, there was a lack of systematic data on the features of vision formation in children living in radiation-contaminated regions.

A decisive contribution to the investigation of this issue was made by specialists of the The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine under the leadership of Vira Ivanivna Serdiuchenko.

For over 10 years, the Institute's  researchers have conducted comprehensive research aimed at:

— identifying the specific features of refractive development in children living in radiation-contaminated territories;
— determining high-risk groups for the development of visual disorders;
— develop practical recommendations for monitoring, prevention, and treatment.

The results of this long-term research were presented in the monograph “Refractogenesis in Schoolchildren Living in Radiation-Contaminated Territories” authored by V.I. Serdiuchenko and O. I. Nostopyrova, published in 2015.

The research results of these studies are of exceptional important, as they provided deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying visual disorders in children and formed the basis for implementing effective approaches to early diagnosis and medical follow-up.

Forty years after the catastrophe, Chernobyl remains not only a symbol of tragedy, but also a reminder of the responsibility of science and medicine in safeguarding the health of future generations.