RESUMEN
Postmortem human eyes were subjected to optic nerve (ON) traction in adduction and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) to investigate scleral surface deformations. We incrementally adducted 11 eyes (age 74.1 ± 9.3 years, standard deviation) from 26° to 32° under normal IOP, during imaging of the posterior globe, for analysis by three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC). In the same eyes, we performed uniaxial tensile testing in multiple regions of the sclera, ON, and ON sheath. Based on individual measurements, we analyzed eye-specific finite element models (FEMs) simulating adduction and IOP loading. Analysis of 3D-DIC showed that the nasal sclera up to 1 mm from the sheath border was significantly compressed during adduction. IOP elevation from 15 to 30 mmHg induced strains less than did adduction. Tensile testing demonstrated ON sheath stiffening above 3.4% strain, which was incorporated in FEMs of adduction tethering that was quantitatively consistent with changes in scleral deformation from 3D-DIC. Simulated IOP elevation to 30 mmHg did not induce scleral surface strains outside the ON sheath. ON tethering in incremental adduction from 26° to 32° compressed the nasal and stretched the temporal sclera adjacent to the ON sheath, more so than IOP elevation. The effect of ON tethering is influenced by strain stiffening of the ON sheath.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: It has been supposed that rectus muscle paralysis would cause proptosis due to the reduction in active posterior tension. This study aimed to test this proposition by evaluating globe translation during horizontal duction in patients with abducens palsy. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center, fellow-eye controlled, case series. METHODS: Horizontal globe rotation and translation were quantified using orbital magnetic resonance imaging of patients with isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy without other ocular motility disorders. Unaffected fellow eyes served as the control group. Digital image analysis was performed. RESULTS: The study included 5 female and 2 male patients with a mean ± standard deviation age of 52 ± 15 years. The average esotropia was 39.0 ± 9.6 diopters. Mean adduction was similar at 54.9 ± 10.4° in palsied eyes and 52.0 ± 7.1° in fellow eyes. However, abduction in palsied eyes was significantly less at 11.4 ± 7.1° than 37.1 ± 11.4° in fellow eyes (P = .0023). Average anterior translation in adduction was 0.46 ± 0.42 mm in palsied orbits, similar to 0.35 ± 0.47 mm in fellow orbits (P = .90). Anterior translation in abduction averaged 0.17 ± 0.53 mm in palsied orbits, similar to 0.27 ± 0.73 mm in fellow orbits (P = .80). Average medial translation in adduction at 0.32 ± 0.23 mm in palsied orbits was statistically similar to 0.12 ± 0.44 mm in fellow orbits (P = .54). Average lateral translation in abduction at 0.19 ± 0.18 mm in palsied orbits was similar to 0.33 ± 0.15 mm in control orbits (P = .38). CONCLUSION: Abducens palsy does not alter normal eye translation during horizontal duction.
