TITLE:
Finite element modeling of the viscoelastic responses of the eye during microvolumetric changes
AUTHORS:
Benjamin Cruz Perez, Hugh J. Morris, Richard T. Hart, Jun Liu
KEYWORDS:
Viscoelasticity; Finite Element Modeling; Intraocular Pressure; Cornea; Sclera
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering,
Vol.6 No.12A,
December
17,
2013
ABSTRACT: A linear viscoelastic finite
element model was built to investigate
factors that influenced the intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations due to
micro-volumetric changes in the eye at three different rates. The viscoelastic
properties of the cornea and the sclera, including the instantaneous modulus,
equilibrium modulus, and relaxation time constants, parametrically varied to
examine their effects on IOP elevations at different rates of volumetric
changes. The simulated responses were in good agreement
with the previously reported experimental results obtained from porcine
globes, showing the general trend of higher IOP elevations at faster rates. The
simulations showed that all viscoelastic properties influenced the profile of
the dynamic IOP due to volumetric changes, and the relative significance of a
specific parameter was highly dependent on the rate of change.