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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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A Laser-induced Mouse Model of Chronic Ocular Hypertension to Characterize Visual Defects
Published on: August 14, 2013
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Segmental outflow and trabecular meshwork stiffness in an ocular hypertensive mouse model
Cydney A Wong1,2, A Thomas Read1, Guorong Li3
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 12, 2026
Summary
Dexamethasone elevated intraocular pressure in mice by altering trabecular meshwork flow, not stiffness. Subtle fibronectin changes suggest potential structural alterations in glaucoma models.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a primary risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma.
- Trabecular meshwork (TM) outflow resistance contributes to increased IOP.
- TM outflow is segmental, with distinct high-flow (HF) and low-flow (LF) regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ocular hypertension on segmental TM outflow.
- To compare TM stiffness between HF and LF regions in a dexamethasone (DEX)-induced mouse model.
- To characterize TM mechanical and structural changes in steroid-induced ocular hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Mice received twice-weekly DEX or vehicle injections for 4 weeks, with weekly IOP measurements.
- In vivo nanosphere perfusion assessed segmental flow patterns.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measured TM stiffness; immunofluorescence quantified fibronectin and α-SMA.
Main Results:
- DEX treatment significantly increased IOP by 33.3% and altered tracer distribution.
- No significant differences in TM stiffness were found between DEX-treated and control mice or between HF and LF regions.
- Increased fibronectin in LF regions of DEX-treated eyes indicated subtle TM structural changes.
Conclusions:
- Dexamethasone alters segmental flow distribution, potentially impacting cell contractility rather than ECM stiffness in young mice.
- These findings enhance understanding of segmental outflow and TM mechanics in steroid-induced glaucoma models.
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