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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Using a Laminating Technique to Perform Confocal Microscopy of the Human Sclera
Published on: May 6, 2016
Dynamic material properties of the human sclera
Jill A Bisplinghoff1, Craig McNally2, Sarah J Manoogian2
1Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Center for Injury Biomechanics, 100F Randolph Hall, MC 0238, Blacksburg 24061, VA.
This study determined the dynamic material properties of the human sclera, revealing it is anisotropic and viscoelastic. These findings are crucial for developing computational models to prevent eye injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Ophthalmology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Traumatic eye injuries cause significant vision loss, with ~30,000 new cases of unilateral blindness annually in the US.
- Accurate computational models for injury prediction rely on precise material properties of ocular tissues.
- The dynamic mechanical behavior of the human sclera remains incompletely characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the dynamic material properties of the human sclera under high-rate loading.
- To provide essential data for computational models simulating ocular trauma.
- To enhance understanding of scleral biomechanics for injury prevention.
Main Methods:
- A high-rate pressurization system was employed to induce rupture in 12 human eyes.
- Simultaneous measurements included internal pressure, globe diameter, scleral thickness, and optical marker displacement.
- High-rate video captured dynamic changes, enabling true stress and true strain calculations.
Main Results:
- The average maximum true stress was 13.89±4.81 MPa in both equatorial and meridional directions.
- Average maximum true strain was 0.041±0.014 (equatorial) and 0.058±0.018 (meridional).
- A significant difference (p=0.02) was observed in maximum strain between equatorial and meridional directions.
Conclusions:
- The human sclera exhibits anisotropic and viscoelastic properties.
- The determined dynamic material properties are vital for advanced eye models.
- This research contributes to developing strategies for preventing traumatic eye injuries.
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