Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:318-323 ( March )

Age related compliance of the lamina cribrosa in human eyes

Julie Albon^a, Peter P Purslow^b, Wojciech S S Karwatowski^c, David L Easty^d

^a Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, Cardiff, ^b Department of Dairy and Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark, ^c Department of Ophthalmology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, ^d Department of Ophthalmology, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol

Correspondence to: Dr Julie Albon, Cell and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Redwood Building, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, PO Box 905, Cardiff CF1 3XF

Accepted for publication 8 November 1999

AIMSTo investigate changes in the mechanical compliance of ex vivo human lamina cribrosa with age.
METHODSA laser scanning confocal microscope was used to image the surface of the fluorescently labelled lamina cribrosa in cadaver eyes. A method was developed to determine changes in the volume and strain of the lamina cribrosa created by increases in pressure. The ability of the lamina cribrosa to reverse its deformation on removal of pressure was also measured.
RESULTSVolume and strain measurements both demonstrated that the lamina cribrosa increased in stiffness with age and the level of pressure applied. The ability of the lamina cribrosa to regain its original shape and size on removal of pressure appeared to decrease with age, demonstrating an age related decrease in resilience of the lamina cribrosa.
CONCLUSIONSThe mechanical compliance of the human lamina cribrosa decreased with age. Misalignment of compliant cribriform plates in a young eye may exert a lesser stress on nerve axons, than that exerted by the rigid plates of an elderly lamina cribrosa. The resilience of the lamina cribrosa also decreased with age, suggesting an increased susceptibility to plastic flow and permanent deformation. Such changes may be of importance in the explanation of age related optic neuropathy in primary open angle glaucoma.

---

© 2000 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Ren, R., Wang, N., Li, B., Li, L., Gao, F., Xu, X., Jonas, J. B. (2009). Lamina Cribrosa and Peripapillary Sclera Histomorphometry in Normal and Advanced Glaucomatous Chinese Eyes with Various Axial Length. IOVS 50: 2175-2184 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Liu, J., He, X. (2009). Corneal Stiffness Affects IOP Elevation during Rapid Volume Change in the Eye. IOVS 50: 2224-2229 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hommer, A., Fuchsjager-Mayrl, G., Resch, H., Vass, C., Garhofer, G., Schmetterer, L. (2008). Estimation of Ocular Rigidity Based on Measurement of Pulse Amplitude Using Pneumotonometry and Fundus Pulse Using Laser Interferometry in Glaucoma. IOVS 49: 4046-4050 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wells, A. P., Garway-Heath, D. F., Poostchi, A., Wong, T., Chan, K. C. Y., Sachdev, N. (2008). Corneal Hysteresis but Not Corneal Thickness Correlates with Optic Nerve Surface Compliance in Glaucoma Patients. IOVS 49: 3262-3268 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kaji, Y., Oshika, T., Takazawa, Y., Fukayama, M., Takata, T., Fujii, N. (2007). Localization of D-{beta}-Aspartic Acid Containing Proteins in Human Eyes. IOVS 48: 3923-3927 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Downs, J. C., Yang, H., Girkin, C., Sakata, L., Bellezza, A., Thompson, H., Burgoyne, C. F. (2007). Three-Dimensional Histomorphometry of the Normal and Early Glaucomatous Monkey Optic Nerve Head: Neural Canal and Subarachnoid Space Architecture. IOVS 48: 3195-3208 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Albon, J., Farrant, S., Akhtar, S., Young, R., Boulton, M. E., Smith, G., Taylor, M., Guggenheim, J., Morgan, J. E. (2007). Connective Tissue Structure of the Tree Shrew Optic Nerve and Associated Ageing Changes. IOVS 48: 2134-2144 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Tezel, G., Luo, C., Yang, X. (2007). Accelerated Aging in Glaucoma: Immunohistochemical Assessment of Advanced Glycation End Products in the Human Retina and Optic Nerve Head. IOVS 48: 1201-1211 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kotecha, A, Izadi, S, Jeffery, G (2006). Age-related changes in the thickness of the human lamina cribrosa. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 90: 1531-1534 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lesk, M. R., Hafez, A. S., Descovich, D. (2006). Relationship Between Central Corneal Thickness and Changes of Optic Nerve Head Topography and Blood Flow After Intraocular Pressure Reduction in Open-angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 1568-1572 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Guo, L, Tsatourian, V, Luong, V, Podolean, A G, Jackson, D A, Fitzke, F W, Cordeiro, M F (2005). En face optical coherence tomography: a new method to analyse structural changes of the optic nerve head in rat glaucoma. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 89: 1210-1216 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Spoerl, E., Boehm, A. G., Pillunat, L. E. (2005). The Influence of Various Substances on the Biomechanical Behavior of Lamina Cribrosa and Peripapillary Sclera. IOVS 46: 1286-1290 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Burgoyne, C. F., Downs, J. C., Bellezza, A. J., Hart, R. T. (2004). Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Normal and Early Glaucoma Monkey Optic Nerve Head Connective Tissues. IOVS 45: 4388-4399 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bellezza, A J, Rintalan, C J, Thompson, H W, Downs, J C, Hart, R T, Burgoyne, C F (2003). Anterior scleral canal geometry in pressurised (IOP 10) and non-pressurised (IOP 0) normal monkey eyes. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 87: 1284-1290 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Bellezza, A. J., Rintalan, C. J., Thompson, H. W., Downs, J. C., Hart, R. T., Burgoyne, C. F. (2003). Deformation of the Lamina Cribrosa and Anterior Scleral Canal Wall in Early Experimental Glaucoma. IOVS 44: 623-637 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kotecha, A., Siriwardena, D., Fitzke, F. W, Hitchings, R. A, Khaw, P. T (2001). Optic disc changes following trabeculectomy: longitudinal and localisation of change. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 85: 956-961 [Abstract] [Full Text]