Investigating the Biomechanics of the Eye as a Treatment to Glaucoma

Kylie Pinion*, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505

Field (Broad Category): Medical Sciences (Physical Sciences & Engineering) 

Student’s Major: Mechanical Engineering 

Glaucoma is an eye condition that develops slowly over time. Glaucoma is a result of damage to the optic nerve and is, in part, related to the biomechanics of the eye that have yet to be elucidated. A literature review was completed to provide an understanding of the current state of research on biomechanics of the eye. Once educated on the topic of glaucoma and ocular biomechanics, it was determined that the thickness of the sclera, the major load bearing tissue of the eye, is of importance to the pathophysiology of glaucoma. To characterize the heterogeneous scleral thickness, micro CT scans (Skyscan 1172, Belgium) of 4 human eye globes were performed at a voxel resolution of 9 microns. . Following this, the reconstructed imageslices of the eye were analyzed with a custom edge detection software to create a 3-dimensional point club and subsequent mesh Thickness was calculated using the distance of vertex normal from the exterior scleral surface to their intersection with the internal scleral surface across 2 mm circumferential increments from the scleral canal opening to the limbus. The 3D coordinates, with thickness values, were collected and thickness maps generated in Mathematica Specifically, the thickness data was transformed into a matrix. The datawas then computed into a 3D color map of the eye, using a 3D density plot function in Mathematica. The thickness was found to be greatest in the posterior sclera and thinnest along the equator of the globe. The mean scleral thickness was 704 ± 85 microns (n=4). 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: My efforts were mainly voluntary