Peripapillary sclera architecture revisited: A tangential fiber model and its biomechanical implications

Acta Biomaterialia
Andrew P VoorheesIan A Sigal

Abstract

The collagen fiber architecture of the peripapillary sclera (PPS), which surrounds the scleral canal, is a critical factor in determining the mechanical response of the optic nerve head (ONH) to variations in intraocular pressure (IOP). Experimental and clinical evidence point to IOP-induced deformations within the scleral canal as important contributing factors of glaucomatous neural tissue damage and consequent vision loss. Hence, it is imperative to understand PPS architecture and biomechanics. Current consensus is that the fibers of the PPS form a closed ring around the canal to support the delicate neural tissues within. We propose an alternative fiber architecture for the PPS, in which the scleral canal is supported primarily by long-running fibers oriented tangentially to the canal. We present evidence that this tangential model is consistent with histological observations in multiple species, and with quantitative measurements of fiber orientation obtained from small angle light scattering and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Using finite element models, we investigated the biomechanical implications of a tangential fiber PPS architecture. We found that the tangential arrangement of fibers afforded better mechanical support...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 30, 2020·Xenotransplantation·Fuyan WangLixin Xie
Jun 5, 2020·Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·Hetal D BuckhurstNicola S Logan
Nov 10, 2020·Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·Andrew P VoorheesIan A Sigal
Aug 15, 2019·Progress in Retinal and Eye Research·Craig BooteMichael J A Girard
Mar 27, 2020·Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering·Rafael GrytzIan A Sigal

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