Tensile properties of glaucomatous human sclera, optic nerve, and optic nerve sheath

We characterized the tensile behavior of sclera, optic nerve (ON), and ON sheath in eyes from donors with glaucoma, for comparison with published data without glaucoma. Twelve freshly harvested eyes were obtained from donors with history of glaucoma, of average age 86 ± 7 (standard deviation) years. Rectangular samples were taken from anterior, equatorial, posterior, and peripapillary sclera, and ON sheath, while ON was in native form and measured using calipers. Under physiological temperature and humidity, tissues were preconditioned at 5% strain before loading at 0.1 mm/s. Force–displacement data were converted into engineering stress–strain curves fit by reduced polynomial hyperelastic models and analyzed by tangent moduli at 3% and 7% strain. Data were compared with an age-matched sample of 7 published control eyes. Optic atrophy was supported by significant reduction in ON cross section to 73% of normal in glaucomatous eyes. Glaucomatous was significantly stiffer than control in equatorial and peripapillary regions (P < 0.001). However, glaucomatous ON and sheath were significantly less stiff than control, particularly at low strain (P < 0.001). Hyperelastic models were well fit to stress–strain data (R² > 0.997). Tangent moduli had variability similar to control in most regions, but was abnormally large in peripapillary sclera. Tensile properties were varied independently among various regions of the same eyes. Glaucomatous sclera is abnormally stiff, but the ON and sheath are abnormally compliant. These abnormalities correspond to properties predicted by finite element analysis to transfer potentially pathologic stress to the vulnerable disk and lamina cribrosa region during adduction eye movement.