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Ocular rigidity: Biological importance and clinical implications
Author(s) -
SCHMETTERER L
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2014.2224.x
Subject(s) - rigidity (electromagnetism) , intraocular pressure , glaucoma , stiffness , ophthalmology , optometry , medicine , materials science , composite material
Ocular rigidity is a biomechanical property of the eye coats that depends on the relationship between pressure and volume changes in the eyeball. Generally, the relation between volume and pressure changes in the eye is characterized by the Friedenwald equation and its modifications. In glaucoma, alterations in the biomechanical properties of the eye coats have been hypothesized to play a critical role. The basic concept is that dependent on the stiffness of the eyeball the individual eye can tolerate higher or lower intraocular pressures. This concept has received support from model calculations as well as from animal studies. In humans, however, assessment of ocular rigidity is difficult. The present talk will summarize techniques that have been proposed for the measurement of the ocular volume and pressure pulse and discuss clinical applicability.