Cornea modelling.

BACKGROUND

Biomechanics introduces numerous technologies to support clinical practice in ophthalmology, with the goal of improving surgical outcomes and to develop new advanced technologies with minimum impact on clinical training. Unfortunately, a few misconceptions on the way that computational methods should be applied to living tissues contributes to a lack of confidence towards computer-based approaches.

METHODS

Corneal biomechanics relies on sound theories of mechanics, including concepts of equilibrium, geometrical measurements, and complex material behaviors. The peculiarities of biological tissues require the consideration of multi-physics, typical of the eye environment, and to adopt customized geometrical models constructed on the basis of advanced optical imaging and in-vivo testing.

RESULTS

Patient-specific models are able to predict the outcomes of refractive surgery and to exploit the results of in-vivo test to characterize the material properties of the corneal tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal biomechanics can become an important support to clinical practice, provided that methods are based on the actual multi-physics and use customized geometrical and mechanical models.