Biphasic model of the trabecular meshwork in the eye

Abstract

A biphasic continuum model for the flow of intraocular fluid, the aqueous humour, in the trabecular meshwork is proposed in the paper. The model considers the meshwork as a circular ring with uniform thickness of homogeneous, isotropic, viscoelastic material swollen with continuously percolating aqueous humour. The model further assumes the permeability of the meshwork as a function of dilation in its solid phase. The study considers steady and quasisteady states. Approximate solutions to the problem are obtained by Picard's type iterative procedure and computational results for the dimensionless solid displacement, permeability and pressure profiles are presented. It is concluded that intraocular pressure has a permeability-decreasing effect, whereas the elasticity of the meshwork shows a permeability-increasing effect. Thus, rising intraocular pressure develops a further rise in itself, whereas the elasticity tends to diminish the intraocular pressure through facilitating aqueous outflow.