Cornea modelling
Anna Pandolfi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Biomechanics introduces numerous technologies to support clinical practice in ophthalmology, with the goal of improving surgical outcomes and to develop new advanced technologies with minimum impact on clinical training. Unfortunately, a few misconceptions on the way that computational methods should be applied to living tissues contributes to a lack of confidence towards computer-based approaches. METHODS: Corneal biomechanics relies on sound theories of mechanics, including concepts of equilibrium, geometrical measurements, and complex material behaviors. The peculiarities of biological tissues require the consideration of multi-physics, typical of the eye environment, and to adopt customized geometrical models constructed on the basis of advanced optical imaging and in-vivo testing. RESULTS: Patient-specific models are able to predict the outcomes of refractive surgery and to exploit the results of in-vivo test to characterize the material properties of the corneal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal biomechanics can become an important support to clinical practice, provided that methods are based on the actual multi-physics and use customized geometrical and mechanical models.