Keratoconus prediction using a finite element model of the cornea with local biomechanical properties.
OBJECTIVE
The ability to predict and understand which biomechanical properties of the cornea are responsible for the stability or progression of keratoconus may be an important clinical and surgical tool for the eye-care professional. We have developed a finite element model of the cornea, that tries to predict keratoconus-like behavior and its evolution based on material properties of the corneal tissue.


METHODS
Corneal material properties were modeled using bibliographic data and corneal topography was based on literature values from a schematic eye model. Commercial software was used to simulate mechanical and surface properties when the cornea was subject to different local parameters, such as elasticity.


RESULTS
The simulation has shown that, depending on the corneal initial surface shape, changes in local material properties and also different intraocular pressures values induce a localized protuberance and increase in curvature when compared to the remaining portion of the cornea.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique provides a quantitative and accurate approach to the problem of understanding the biomechanical nature of keratoconus. The implemented model has shown that changes in local material properties of the cornea and intraocular pressure are intrinsically related to keratoconus pathology and its shape/curvature.
Carvalho
Luis Alberto
LA
Departamento de Oftalmologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. lavcf@ifsc.usp.br
Prado
Marcelo
M
Cunha
Rodivaldo H
RH
Costa Neto
Alvaro
A
Paranhos
Augusto
A
Schor
Paulo
P
Chamon
Wallace
W
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019781:Corneal Topography; D018450:Disease Progression; D004548:Elasticity; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological