Ocular Rigidity and Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) represent one of the first clinical entities that were correlated with ocular rigidity (OR). Measurements performed with both indirect and direct methodology have created some evidence that could support an etiopathogenic relation between OR and AMD. Our group has contributed to these data with measurements performed in living human eyes using a direct manometric methodology. However, since there is always the possibility that increased scleral rigidity is an epiphenomenon of AMD and not an etiologic factor, future work focusing on imaging, ocular hemodynamic evaluation and non-invasive rigidity recording could help clarify the possible role of sclera and choroidal vasculature in AMD and possibly provide novel means for intervening in pathophysiology of the disease.