About this Research Topic
The underlying and still largely unexplored relationship between optics and biomechanics gives rise to a complex interplay between the ocular structure and its function. Investigating this relationship is vital for understanding ocular development, the effects of ageing and diseases, predictive diagnoses and calculating customized refractive corrections. In case of a local weakening of the corneal elasticity, as seen in keratoconus, this will lead to a large corneal deformation that can be reduced by stiffening the cornea through crosslinking. Meanwhile during accommodation, the entire crystalline lens changes shape, controlled by the pulling force exerted by the ciliary muscle, which may indirectly lead to corneal shape changes. Biomechanical analyses can also serve to improve dynamic measurements, as is the case of air-puff tonometry frequently used to take measurements and guide clinical decisions.
Many questions remain, as to how the material properties of the eye are linked to the optical properties, how they alter with age, pathologies, and refractive error, how they affect vision and how this can be effectively harnessed and translated into relatively simple rules for clinical use. The goal of this Research Topic is to address these open questions interdisciplinarily, combining aspects of physics, optometry, mathematics, computer science, clinical science, and product development. Up to date, a unique, biologically viable and physiologically relevant modelling platform describing the interactions between ocular mechanical properties and geometry in a way adaptable to a wide range of ocular conditions is not available.
Types of manuscripts that this research topic is expecting include Original Research and Perspective articles about novel approaches for optomechanical characterization and eye modelling that gather main advances in the field of Visual Optics, Optometry, Ophthalmology / Refractive Surgery. Main topics to be included in this collection:
• Optical, numerical and statistical eye modelling
• Mechanical and optical characterization of ocular tissues
• Diagnostic approaches for in vivo application
Many questions remain, as to how the material properties of the eye are linked to the optical properties, how they alter with age, pathologies, and refractive error, how they affect vision and how this can be effectively harnessed and translated into relatively simple rules for clinical use. The goal of this Research Topic is to address these open questions interdisciplinarily, combining aspects of physics, optometry, mathematics, computer science, clinical science, and product development. Up to date, a unique, biologically viable and physiologically relevant modelling platform describing the interactions between ocular mechanical properties and geometry in a way adaptable to a wide range of ocular conditions is not available.
Types of manuscripts that this research topic is expecting include Original Research and Perspective articles about novel approaches for optomechanical characterization and eye modelling that gather main advances in the field of Visual Optics, Optometry, Ophthalmology / Refractive Surgery. Main topics to be included in this collection:
• Optical, numerical and statistical eye modelling
• Mechanical and optical characterization of ocular tissues
• Diagnostic approaches for in vivo application
Keywords: visual optics, ocular biomechanics, cornea, crystalline lens, accommodation, keratoconus, diagnostics, finite element modelling
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
