A MATHEMATICAL STUDY OF EFFECT OF CONSTRICTION AND EXTRA CELLULAR MATRIX GEL ON AQUEOUS HUMOR FLOW AND IOP

Abstract

Increase in Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in the eye has been pointed out as a primary risk factor for Glaucoma and; Glaucoma is a leading cause of sight loss globally. Despite this knowledge, the site where this increase in pressure occurs is still under studies. The junction between the endothelia-cell wall of the Schlemn’s canal and the juxtacanalicular tissue is known to contain funnel shaped pores which are surrounded by extra cellular matrix gel. The flow of Aqueous Humour through these pores generates a funneling effect (which can be considered as a flow through constricted channel) on the TM. Furthermore, the extra cellular matrix may (exert) contribute some force on the flow dynamics, in the form of drag to Aqueous Humour flow. This study investigated the combined effect of the pores and extra cellular matrix gel (as a drag force) on Aqueous Humour flow dynamics such as Aqueous Humour flow resistance, and hydraulic conductivity respectively. Our results show that these structures affect the flow resistance and hydraulic conductivity, and might likely contribute to increase in IOP. Keywords: constricted channel flow; constriction and drag; aqueous humuor flow; intraocular pressure; hydraulic conductivity and resistance.