Numerical modelling of the human eye accommodation

Abstract: This thesis addresses the biomechanics of the human eye accommodation. It deals with the development of numerical model of a 29-year-old eye, incorporating the vitreous body as a part of accommodative apparatus. A more complete understanding of the mechanism of accommodation becomes increasingly important as new types of lens implants and surgical procedures to correct both accommodative loss in aphakia as well as in the aging process are being explored. It is necessary to conduct the experimental and analytical studies to gain a better comprehension on ophthalmologic processes. The accommodation has been investigated through numerical simulations based on finite element analysis. The extensive literature survey was the platform for establishing relevant modelling procedures. The calculations were carried out using the commercial general-purpose finite element software ABAQUS. All materials were modelled as being linearly elastic and the interiors on the lens and vitreous were assumed to be incompressible. Present research seeks to investigate the validity of some fundamental assumptions about the construction and functioning of human accommodation system. The model is rather general and involves the synthesis of disparate sets of geometric and mechanical data from a variety of published sources. Different configurations of the structural model can easily be simulated by appropriate adjustments of parameters. The results of this study are broadly in agreement with published observations. The model behaviour is consistent with classical Helmholtz theory. It is shown that such a modelling exercise captures at least some physiological aspects of human accommodation. The proposed procedures and developed inverse methodology can be a useful tool to derive previously not documented parameters and test the consistency of different sets of experimental measurements. The obtained results can be used to draw some recommendations in pursuit of the clinical imperatives of ophthalmologists.