Abstract
Purpose. We investigated an indentation technique to measure the scleral stiffness and tangent modulus of porcine eyes. Methods. The scleral load-displacement responses were measured with a universal testing machine as a function of IOP in 15 porcine eyes ex vivo using a 5-mm diameter cylindrical flat-punch indenter. The scleral radius of curvature and scleral thickness were measured using a DSLR camera (Alpha 900) and a camera-mounted stereomicroscope (M205C), respectively. The relationships between scleral stiffness, tangent modulus, and IOP were examined. Results. The mean local scleral radius of curvature and scleral thickness were 7.86 ± 0.49 and 1.03 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. The average scleral stiffness and scleral tangent modulus of porcine eyes were 0.13 ± 0.02 N/mm and 0.20 ± 0.04 MPa at 15 mm Hg, respectively. The scleral stiffness and scleral tangent modulus were correlated positively with IOP (scleral stiffness, 0.989 < r < 0.999, P < 0.001; scleral tangent modulus, 0.989 < r < 0.999, P < 0.001). Conclusions. The scleral indentation technique can provide a noninvasive approach to measure scleral stiffness and tangent modulus.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3721-3726 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 15 2014 |
Keywords
- Glaucoma
- Myopia
- Noninvasive measurement
- Sclera
- Tangent modulus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience