Assessing the biomechanical behavior of aqueous veins and perilimbal sclera complex using photoacoustic imaging and finite element analysis

We developed a photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and finite element analysis (FEA) approach for characterizing the biomechanical behaviors of the aqueous veins and perilimbal sclera, and their roles in the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP). In this study, an optical resolution PAI system captures the 3D architectures of the sclera and the aqueous veins perfused with indocyanine green. FEA computes tissue and vein strain fields. The performance of the PAI-FEA has been validated by tensile test in scleral tissue. The methods have also shown the capability of resolving the strain gradients at the vein-sclera interface during the manipulation of IOP.