Quantitative mapping of scleral fiber orientation in normal rat eyes

Girard, Michael J. A., Dahlmann-Noor, Annegret, Rayapureddi, Sauparnika, Bechara, Jean Antoine, Bertin, Benedicte M. E., Jones, Hannah, Albon, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3029-8245, Khaw, Peng T. and Ethier, C. Ross 2011. Quantitative mapping of scleral fiber orientation in normal rat eyes. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 52 (13) , pp. 9684-9693. 10.1167/iovs.11-7894

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Abstract

Purpose. Previous work has suggested a major role of scleral biomechanics in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Since fiber orientation in connective tissues is a key determinant of tissue biomechanics, experimental characterization of scleral fiber orientation is needed to fully understand scleral biomechanics. This is a report of baseline experimental measurements of fiber orientation in whole normal rat scleras. Methods. Twenty ostensibly normal Norway brown rat eyes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The scleras were cleaned of intra- and extraorbital tissues and dissected into five patches, and each patch was glycerol treated to maximize its transparency. Fiber orientation was measured using small-angle light scattering (SALS). Scattering patterns were analyzed to extract two microstructural parameters at each measurement location—the preferred fiber orientation and the degree of alignment—yielding a fiber orientation map for each sclera. Results. Rat sclera is structurally anisotropic with several consistent features. At the limbus, fibers were highly aligned and organized primarily into a distinct ring surrounding the cornea. In the equatorial region, the fibers were primarily meridionally aligned. In the posterior and peripapillary region, the scleral fibers were mostly circumferential but less aligned than those in the anterior and equatorial regions. Conclusions. Circumferential scleral fibers may act as reinforcing rings to limit corneal and optic nerve head deformations, whereas equatorial meridional fibers may either provide resistance against extraocular muscle forces or limit globe axial elongation.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Additional Information:	Confirmation received by publisher on 21 February 2014 that publisher's pdf can be self-archived 6 months after publication.
Publisher:	Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
ISSN:	0146-0404
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	04 May 2023 23:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/15642

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