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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2021 Jul 21.
Published in final edited form as: Prog Retin Eye Res. 2020 Nov 17;83:100917. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100917

Fig. 22. Trabecular meshwork elastance curve.

Fig. 22.

OCT imaging quantifies the relationship of Schlemm’s canal (SC) pressure and volume over a range from 0 of 50 mmHg. (a) A composite cross-sectional image permits visualization of ~8 mm of a limbal segment while maintaining a perfusion pressure of 50 mm Hg. The perfusion pressure dilates SC along its entire length. A cannula is visible in SC at the right edge of the image. The trabecular meshwork (TM) is superior to the canal. OCT images (b1-b4) are radial cross-sections through SC. Images demonstrate progressive dilation of the canal as pressure increases from 0 to 50 mm Hg. (c) Curves represent SC instantaneous volume and pressure measured at 10 μm intervals along the 2 mm limbal segment with pressures as indicated, (d) Plotting the pressure increase against the SC volume generates an elastance curve. The curve captures the elastic energy increase resulting from an increase in SC volume. The increase in potential energy distributes between further TM tissue deformation and the rise in pressure. The elastance curve provides a means of assessing the ability of the TM tissues to store elastic energy. Elastance and stiffness are synonymous terms. Tissue source: Human Eye. From Xin C, Mechanical Properties of the TM and Collector Channels, PLoS One 11, e0162048, 2016.