Keratoconus prediction using a finite element model of the cornea with local biomechanical properties

Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia

Luis Alberto Carvalho²  Marcelo Prado¹  Rodivaldo H. Cunha¹  Alvaro Costa Neto¹  Augusto Paranhos Jr¹  Paulo Schor¹  Wallace Chamon¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de São Paulo Departamento de Oftalmologia São Paulo SP ,Brasil

关键词: Cornea;    Biomechanics;    Corneal topography;    Keratoconus;    Refractive errors;    Image processing;    computer-assisted;    Intraocular pressure;    Córnea;    Biomecânica;    Topografia da córnea;    Ceratocone;    Erros de refração;    Processamento de imagem assistida por computador;    Pressão intraocular;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-27492009000200002

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

PURPOSE: The ability to predict and understand which biomechanical properties of the cornea are responsible for the stability or progression of keratoconus may be an important clinical and surgical tool for the eye-care professional. We have developed a finite element model of the cornea, that tries to predicts keratoconus-like behavior and its evolution based on material properties of the corneal tissue. METHODS: Corneal material properties were modeled using bibliographic data and corneal topography was based on literature values from a schematic eye model. Commercial software was used to simulate mechanical and surface properties when the cornea was subject to different local parameters, such as elasticity. RESULTS: The simulation has shown that, depending on the corneal initial surface shape, changes in local material properties and also different intraocular pressures values induce a localized protuberance and increase in curvature when compared to the remaining portion of the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: This technique provides a quantitative and accurate approach to the problem of understanding the biomechanical nature of keratoconus. The implemented model has shown that changes in local material properties of the cornea and intraocular pressure are intrinsically related to keratoconus pathology and its shape/curvature.

【 授权许可】

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