DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIMIZED OCULAR IMPLANTS: INVESTIGATING IRIS BIOMECHANICS IN CATARACT AND ANGLE CLOSURE GLAUCOMA SURGERIES

Abstract

Cataracts and glaucoma are two of the greatest ophthalmological diseases that affects a large number of the population worldwide, with the incidences increasing with age. Whilst there are clinical practices to combat or resolve these issues, much more can be done to improve patient healthcare through the incorporation of biomechanical research. By marrying the disciplines in engineering and medicine, we can discover innovative approaches to tackle diseases. The amount of literature regarding cataract surgery and glaucoma is extensive, yet while both involve the iris tissue through pupil dilation or pupillary block, research on the iris biomechanical properties is woefully inadequate. Therefore, this thesis will focus on determining the hydraulic permeability of the iris stroma tissue and coming up with a biofidelic model that is better representative of the individual iris components, as well as evaluating novel implants to address both cataract and angle closure glaucoma surgeries.