# Biomechanics of the Human Optic Nerve Head for Glaucoma Biomarkers.

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $409,375

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States and worldwide. The disease is characterized by
the death of retinal ganglion cells after the initial injury to their axons in the optic nerve head and by extensive
changes in the structure of the connective tissues of the optic nerve head. There is consensus that the
intraocular pressure generates a biomechanical response in the tissues of the optic nerve head that is
fundamental to the development of glaucoma axon damage. Mechanical deformation and remodeling of the
optic nerve head in response to a long-term IOP elevation can damage the retinal ganglion cell axons both
directly and indirectly through mechanical activation of the astrocytes and lamina cribrocytes and disruption of
blood flow from the distortion of blood vessels. The cells of the optic nerve head can also react to changes in
the mechanical properties of the connective tissue structures of the optic nerve head in ways that compromise
the physiological support for the axons. The scientific premise of the proposed study is that biomechanical
behaviors and properties of the tissues of the optic nerve head will predict the risk of axon injury in open angle
glaucoma. In Aim 1, we will image the eyes of human subjects with primary open angle glaucoma at different
stages using an optical imaging method called spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Images will be
acquired before and after a change in the intraocular pressure to measure the deformation using digital volume
correlation. The IOP will be changed by laser suture lysis as part of the post-operative care of patients who
have had recent trabeculectomy surgery and by starting or stopping glaucoma medication. In Aim 2, we will
develop patient-specific finite element models. The models will be used to analyze the deformations measured
in Aim 1 to determine the patient-specific mechanical properties of the tissues of the optic nerve head. The
mechanical properties and strains will be analyzed to determine how they vary with age, sex, race, stage of
glaucoma damage, and the rate of past progression. In Aim 3, we will analyze the outcomes in Aims 1 and 2 to
identify potential biomechanical markers for prospective longitudinal studies to evaluate the ability of the
biomechanical markers to predict glaucoma progression. We will also reimage the eyes of participating
patients to measure remodeling to the structure and mechanical properties of the optic nerve head. These
studies will determine whether the deformations and material properties of the tissues of the optic nerve head,
measured by current imaging, image analysis and modeling methods, are predictive of glaucoma progression
and enhance fundamental understanding of how the tissues remodel in open angle glaucoma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10856149
- **Project number:** 1R01EY036042-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Thao D Nguyen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $409,375
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10856149

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10856149, Biomechanics of the Human Optic Nerve Head for Glaucoma Biomarkers. (1R01EY036042-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10856149. Licensed CC0.

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