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Length and width of the peripapillary scleral flange in relation to axial length
Author(s) -
Jonas Shefali,
PandaJonas Songhomitra,
Jonas Jost
Publication year - 2019
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.1755-3768.2019.5483
Subject(s) - sclera , lamina , optic nerve , flange , anatomy , ophthalmology , medicine , choroid , materials science , retina , optics , physics , composite material
Purpose The peripapillary scleral flange is the continuation of the posterior sclera after separating from the optic nerve dura mater and serves as the biomechanical anchor for the lamina cribrosa from which it is separated by the peripapillary border tissue of Elschnig. In view of its biomechanical importance for the optic nerve head, we determined the dimensions of the peripapillary scleral flange and its associations with axial length. Methods The study included human globes which had been enucleated due to malignant melanomas or end‐stage secondary angle closure glaucoma. Histologic slides were histomorphometrically examined. Results The study included 202 eyes of patients with a mean age of 61.7 ± 13.7 years (range: 24–89 years) and a mean axial length of 24.9 ± 2.5 mm (range: 20.0–35.0 mm). The mean thickness of the peripapillary scleral flange was 0.37 ± 0.10 mm (median: 0.38 mm; range: 0.10–0.76 mm), and a mean length of 0.54 ± 0.43 mm (range: 0.05–2.14 mm). Peripapillary scleral flange thickness was inversely correlated with longer peripapillary scleral flange length (p = 0.001; standardized regression coefficient β : −0.46) and longer axial length (p = 0.001; β = −0.23). Correspondingly, peripapillary scleral flange length increased with longer axial length (p < 0.001; β = 0.49). Conclusions Axial elongation is associated with a marked elongation and corresponding thinning of the peripapillary scleral flange. With the PSF being the biomechanical anchor of the lamina cribrosa, the findings may be of interest for the biomechanics of the optic nerve head in axial myopia.