Anterior scleral thickness and shape changes with different levels of simulated convergence

Hamed Niyazmand; Scott A. Read; David A. Atchison; David Alonso-Caneiro; Michael J. Collins

doi:10.1016/j.exer.2020.108435

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Anterior scleral thickness and shape changes with different levels of simulated convergence

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Anterior scleral thickness and shape changes with different levels of simulated convergence

Hamed Niyazmand, Scott A. Read, David A. Atchison, David Alonso-Caneiro and Michael J. Collins

Experimental Eye Research, Vol.203, pp.1-9

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2020.108435

PMID: 33421425

Abstract

convergence

cornea

near work

myopia

scleral thickness

scleral shape

Purpose: Convergence plays a fundamental role in the performance of near visual tasks. We measured the effect of two levels of convergence on anterior scleral thickness and shape in emmetropes, low to moderate myopes and high myopes. Methods: Forty-five healthy young adults aged between 18 and 35 years including 15 emmetropes, 15 low/ moderate myopes, and 15 high myopes were recruited. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and eye surface profilometry were used to evaluate the anterior scleral thickness (nasal only, n = 42) and shape (n = 40), before and during two visual tasks involving 9 degrees and 18 degrees convergence, in those participants with complete and reliable data. Results: Convergence led to a thickening of the total anterior eye wall (5.9 +/- 1.4 mu m) and forward movement (10 +/- 2 mu m) of the nasal anterior scleral surface (both p < 0.001). Larger changes were found at 18 degrees than at 9 degrees convergence and in more peripheral nasal scleral regions. There was a significant association between total wall thickening and forward movement of the scleral surface. Refractive group was not a significant main effect, but there were significant interactions between refractive group and the thickness changes with convergence in different scleral regions. Conclusion: During convergence, the biomechanical forces acting on the eye lead to nasal anterior scleral thickening and forward movement of the nasal scleral surface.

Details

Title: Anterior scleral thickness and shape changes with different levels of simulated convergence
Authors: Hamed Niyazmand (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Scott A. Read (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
David A. Atchison (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
David Alonso-Caneiro (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Michael J. Collins (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Experimental Eye Research, Vol.203, pp.1-9
Publisher: Academic Press
DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108435
ISSN: 1096-0007
PMID: 33421425
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99973594702621
Output Type: Journal article