# Biomechanical Interplay between Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Sclera

> **NIH NIH R01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $381,517

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Glaucoma affects about three million Americans and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Patients
suffer from progressive optic neuropathy, for which intraocular pressure (IOP) induced mechanical insults at the
optic nerve head (ONH) play a central role. Current treatments all aim to lower IOP. While these treatments are
beneficial, many patients continue to lose vision with persistent optic nerve damage. There is a great need to
identify other modifiable risk factors, based on which novel treatments may be developed to combat this public
health problem. Biomechanically, the level of IOP-induced mechanical insults (i.e., stresses and strains) at the
ONH are not determined by IOP alone. Computational studies have shown that peripapillary sclera (PPS)
modulus and thickness are among the most influential factors. Interestingly, PPS biomechanical changes are
implicated in older age, African American race, and high myopia, which have increased glaucoma risk. However,
there is a knowledge gap in understanding the biomechanical interplay between ONH and PPS. For example,
what PPS biomechanical properties are optimal and how PPS can be modified to mitigate IOP-induced
mechanical insults at ONH remain poorly understood. We propose to use a high-resolution ultrasound
elastography technique to resolve the complex mechanical responses of the ONH and PPS through full tissue
thickness, and to begin to fill the knowledge gap. Using this technique, we will quantify ONH and PPS
deformation in normal human donor eyes, those with PPS remodeling, and those with experimental modification
of PPS properties. We will also further develop this technique for in vivo biomechanical imaging of the ONH and
PPS in an animal model. Specifically, we propose the following aims: 1) test the prediction that ONH deformation
is correlated with PPS deformation and different in older age and African American race, 2) test the prediction
that ONH deformation is different in eyes with PPS remodeling, 3) test the prediction that ONH deformation is
altered after biochemical stiffening or softening of the PPS, and 4) test the feasibility of in vivo ONH and PPS
ultrasound elastography in a pig model. Successful completion of the proposed studies will establish a clear
understanding of the biomechanical interplay between ONH and PPS, a key contributor to an individual eye’s
mechanical susceptibility to IOP. Combined with the development of an in vivo biomechanical imaging technique,
this knowledge will lay a foundation for novel diagnostic and treatment strategies to reduce glaucoma vision loss.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10367335
- **Project number:** 1R01EY032621-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JUN LIU
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $381,517
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10367335

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10367335, Biomechanical Interplay between Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Sclera (1R01EY032621-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10367335. Licensed CC0.

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