Abstract
Pupillary block is considered as an important cause of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). In order to investigate the effect of pupillary block on the hydrodynamics of aqueous humor (AH) in anterior chamber (AC) and potential risks, a 3D printed eye model was developed to mimic the AH flow driven by fluid generation, the differential pressure between AC and posterior chambers (PC) and pupillary block. Particle image velocimetry technology was applied to visualize flow distribution. The results demonstrated obvious differences in AH flow with and without pupillary block. Under the normal condition (without pupillary block), the flow filed of AH was nearly symmetric in the AC. The highest flow velocity located at the central of AC when the differential pressure between AC and PC was under 5.83 Pa, while it appeared near the cornea and iris surface when the differential pressure was greater than 33.6 Pa. Once pupillary block occurred, two asymmetric vortices with different sizes were observed and the shear stress in the paracentral cornea and iris epithelium increased greatly. It can be concluded that the pupillary block and the elevated differential pressure between AC and PC could change the flow distribution and thus increase the risk of corneal endothelial cells detachment. This study could make a further understanding of the pathogenesis of PACG.
Highlights
Glaucoma is the leading cause of incurable blindness worldwide [Sena and Lindsley (2013); Weinreb, Aung and Medeiros (2014); Congdon and Friedman (2003); Pascolini and Mariotti (2012)]
The hydrodynamics of aqueous humor (AH) flow in anterior chamber (AC) under the condition of various differential pressures between AC and posterior chambers (PC) and in the situation of pupillary block were assessed by using 3D printing and particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique
The results obtained by PIV experiment demonstrated that elevated differential pressure as well as pupillary block would disturb the AH flow obviously
Summary
Glaucoma is the leading cause of incurable blindness worldwide [Sena and Lindsley (2013); Weinreb, Aung and Medeiros (2014); Congdon and Friedman (2003); Pascolini and Mariotti (2012)]. Doi:10.32604/mcb.2019.06393 www.techscience.com/mcb (PACG) is one of the common subtypes of glaucoma, with a high prevalence (about three quarters) in Asia [Chan, Li, Tham et al (2016); Tham, Hons, Li et al (2014)]. It is associated with the appositional or synechial closure of the anterior chamber (AC) angle (between the iris and the corneoscleral shell [Huang and Barocas (2004)], leading to the anterior protrusion of iris and further increase of IOP. The effect of pupillary block on the fluid dynamics of AH in the AC is still not clear, and the potential risks of changed AH flow need to be further evaluated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
