Quantitative forced ductions in an animal model--characterization of passive forces

Our purpose was to characterize the passive tissue forces involved in ocular rotation in a controlled animal model and to evaluate the influence of manual versus mechanized ductions, repeated measurements, speed of rotation, and the influence of the nondepolarizing muscle relaxant mivacurium.

Forced ductions were performed under general anesthesia on 20 eyes of 10 pigs, with or without mivacurium, with use of a highly sensitive force gauge attached to the eye by a traction suture. The eye was moved either manually or at constant speed with a motorized platform. Eyes were rotated a total of 8 mm from their resting position under anesthesia. The force-displacement relationship was analyzed and compared between groups.

A linear (elastic) relationship between force and displacement was noted, with a slope of 0.4 g per degree with use of the mechanized technique. Neither speed of rotation, use of mivacurium, nor repeated ductions significantly influenced the shape or slope of the relationship. Hysteresis averaged 2 to 4 g. Measurements performed with use of the motorized platform showed significantly improved reliability over those made manually.

The passive length-tension data correlate well with data reported by others in humans. Within a wide range of eye movement, this force is elastic in nature. For relatively low angular velocities, such as might be produced in smooth pursuit, the passive forces do not change appreciably with changes in velocity. The nondepolarizing muscle relaxant mivacurium has no effect on accurate performance of passive forced ductions under general anesthesia. Studies collecting quantitative data on passive orbital forces should be performed, when feasible, with an automated duction and recording apparatus.