[Research progress on biomechanical characteristics of the posterior eye and vitreoretinal diseases and optic neuropathy].

Abstract

The occurrence and development of biological tissue diseases are closely related to their biomechanical properties. In recent years, significant achievements have been made in the research on the biomechanical properties of the cornea and sclera, and the research on the association between the biomechanics of the posterior eye and eye diseases has also been continuously advanced. This review systematically collates the research on the biomechanical characteristics of the retina, Bruch's membrane-choroid complex (BMCC), and optic nerve head. The retina is anisotropic, with the elastic modulus increasing from the inner layer to the photosensitive layer. The internal limiting membrane has high mechanical strength and stiffness, and these properties change with age. The stiffness of the BMCC increases with strain, and its biomechanical changes are closely linked to aging and age-related diseases. The stress-strain pattern of the optic nerve head is affected by multiple factors and plays a crucial role in diseases such as glaucoma. These biomechanical properties are of great significance in the pathogenesis of diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and are also widely applied in the optimization of clinical surgeries, disease monitoring, and diagnosis. However, currently, the research on the biomechanics of the posterior segment of the eye is still in its infancy. The mechanical regulation mechanisms of multiple factors such as age, intraocular pressure, blood flow, and axial length have not been fully elucidated, and aspects such as matrix protein remodeling and post-translational modifications also require in-depth research.