Open AccessUltrastructural and nanomechanical changes of the cornea following enzymatic degradation
Author(s) -
Ahmed Kazaili,
Riaz Akhtar
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal for modeling in ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2468-3930
pISSN - 2468-3922
DOI - 10.35119/maio.v2i2.67
Subject(s) - cornea , ultrastructure , atomic force microscopy , biophysics , nanoscopic scale , degradation (telecommunications) , materials science , chemistry , nanotechnology , anatomy , biology , medicine , ophthalmology , telecommunications , computer science
Understanding of the ultrastructure and nanomechanical behavior of the cornea is important for a number of ocular disorders. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine nanoscale changes in the porcine cornea following enzymatic degradation. Diff erent concentrations of amylase were used to degrade the cornea. A reduction in elastic modulus at the nanoscale, along with disrupted collagen morphology, was observed following enzymatic treatment. This study highlights the interplay between mechanical properties and collagen organization in the healthy cornea.