Accommodation of the human lens capsule using a finite element model based on nonlinear regionally anisotropic biomembranes

Authors

G. David, University of the Philippines
Ryan M. Pedrigi, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
J. D. Humphrey, Yale University

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Published in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 20:3 (2017), pp 302–307

doi 10.1080/10255842.2016.1228907

Comments

Copyright © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Used by permission.

Abstract

Accommodation of the eyes, the mechanism that allows humans to focus their vision on near objects, naturally diminishes with age via presbyopia. People who have undergone cataract surgery, using current surgical methods and artificial lens implants, are also left without the ability to accommodate. The process of accommodation is generally well known; however the specific mechanical details have not been adequately explained due to difficulties and consequences of performing in vivo studies. Most studies have modeled the mechanics of accommodation under assumptions of a linearly elastic, isotropic, homogenous lens and lens capsule. Recent experimental and numerical studies showed that the lens capsule exhibits nonlinear elasticity and regional anisotropy. In this paper we present a numerical model of human accommodation using a membrane theory based finite element approach, incorporating recent findings on capsular properties. This study seeks to provide a novel perspective of the mechanics of accommodation. Such findings may prove significant in seeking biomedical solutions to restoring loss of visual power.