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A pre-tensioned finite element model of ocular accommodation and presbyopia

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Abstract

Accommodation is the ability of the eye to dynamically alter its optical power. Presbyopia is the progressive loss of this ability with age. We have developed the first pre-tensioned finite element model of accommodation and used it to address the question of whether increasing lens stiffness alone is sufficient to cause presbyopia. Intrinsic resting forces and accommodative displacement were calibrated for a 20 year-old lens’ stiffness over a 7 D optical power change. Accommodation was simulated by displacing the distal zonule attachments towards the optical axis, mimicking the movement of the ciliary body when the ciliary muscle contracts. The optical power, capsule strain, and radial zonule forces were extracted for one full cycle of accommodation. These responses were compared for lenses having elastic moduli corresponding to 14, 20, 39.5, and 62.7-year-old human lenses. Accommodative power decreased from 20 to 62.5 years of age from 7 to 2 D. This change was less than in experiments where changes in lens power go to zero around age 50. Thus, lens elasticity contributes significantly to presbyopia but is not the sole cause. Lens diameter and thickness changes were within 20 % of reported values, indicating that the present model yields a good approximation of the changes in lens shape during accommodation.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Harry Millwater, Jeremy Mann, and the UTSA Department of Mechanical Engineering for access to and support for the high performance computer (SHAMU) and technical support for Abaqus software at UTSA.

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  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    Robert P. Wilkes & Matthew A. Reilly

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  1. Robert P. Wilkes
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Correspondence to Matthew A. Reilly.

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The authors have no financial interest in the subject matter of this manuscript.

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Wilkes, R.P., Reilly, M.A. A pre-tensioned finite element model of ocular accommodation and presbyopia. Int J Adv Eng Sci Appl Math 8, 25–38 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12572-015-0141-2

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