Under Pressure: Lamina Cribrosa Pore Path Tortuosity in Response to Acute Pressure Modulation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Lamina cribrosa (LC) deformation is a key factor in glaucoma development.
• Understanding how pressure changes affect the LC is crucial for glaucoma research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate in vivo how intraocular pressure (IOP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) influence LC pore path deformation.
• To determine the relationship between pressure variations and LC structural changes.

Main Methods:

• Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to scan the optic nerve head in rhesus monkeys.
• IOP and ICP were modulated using controlled perfusion systems.
• Pore path tortuosity was quantified by tracking pore centroids under varying pressure conditions.

Main Results:

• Baseline pore tortuosity showed significant inter-individual variation.
• Modulating IOP or ICP resulted in inconsistent changes in pore tortuosity across different eyes.
• Some eyes exhibited statistically significant increases or decreases in tortuosity, while others showed no significant change.

Conclusions:

• Individual differences in baseline pore tortuosity and responses to pressure changes are substantial.
• LC pore path tortuosity may be linked to an individual's susceptibility to glaucoma.