Effects of Aging on Biomechanics Properties in Rabbit Eyes

Abstract-In order to study the effects of aging on biomechanics properties, twenty rabbits with healthy eyes were divided into four groups including infancy (3 months), youth (5 months), midlife (18 months) and agedness (48 months). After measuring the central corneal thickness (CCT) and the intraocular pressure (IOP), the alteration of eye volume with intraocular pressure was determined of four different age groups. Then sclera strips were prepared for biomechanical properties measurement through uniaxial tension using an Instron 5544 test machine. Our results showed: The CCT of the infancy was lower than the agedness (p<0.05), but the IOP of the infancy was higher than the agedness (p<0.05); The mean ocular rigidity coefficient of the infancy was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the midlife; The elastic modulus of sclera in the infancy were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the midlife and the agedness; There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) in four groups for the creep rate of sclera in 30 minutes.