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Abstract #3396 Published in IGR 4-2
Peripapillary scleral thickness in perfusion-fixed normal monkey eyes
Downs JC; Blidner RA; Bellezza AJ; Thompson HW; Hart RT; Burgoyne CFInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2002; 43: 2229-2235
PURPOSE: To characterize the thickness of the peripapillary sclera in perfusion-fixed normal monkey eyes so as to build accurate computational models of intraocular pressure (IOP)-related stress and strain within these tissues. METHODS: Nine rhesus monkeys were perfusion fixed, each with one normal eye set to an IOP of 10 mmHg by manometer. A 6-mm-diameter specimen containing the optic nerve head and peripapillary sclera was trephined from each scleral shell and cut into 4-μm serial sagittal sections across the scleral canal opening, either horizontally (four eyes) or vertically (five eyes). The thickness of the peripapillary sclera was measured on every 24th section at 100-μm intervals from the posterior scleral canal opening (PSCO) to the peripheral edge of the specimen. The data were pooled by quadrant (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal), regions within each quadrant, and distance from the PSCO, overall and for individual eyes, and subjected to analysis of variance. RESULTS: In terms of distance from the PSCO, the peripapillary sclera was thinnest nearest the PSCO (201 μm, nasal; 201 μm, temporal; 240 mμ, inferior; 249 μm, superior), thickened progressively to a maximum in the midperiphery approximately 600-1000 μm from the PSCO (326 μm, nasal; 415 μm, superior; 420 μm, temporal; 422 μm, inferior), and thinned again peripherally in all quadrants. The peripapillary sclera was thinner in the nasal quadrant when compared with the other quadrants superiorly, inferiorly, and temporally (central region means of 291 μm, nasal; 369 μm, superior; 372 μm, inferior; and 369 μm, temporal; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the normal monkey eye, peripapillary scleral thickness varies significantly with distance from the posterior scleral canal opening and is thinner in the nasal quadrant than in the other quadrants. These differences are substantial and are likely to affect the magnitude of IOP-related stress and strain within these tissues for a given level of IOP.
Dr. J.C. Downs, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Classification:
2.3 Sclera (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models
