For estimating the elastic parameters of the eyebased on noninvasive measurements performable in clinics, a model which treats the eye tissues as a composition of two elastic elements, a soft shell (cornea) and a generalized linear element representing the sclera and the adjacent eye-socket tissues, is developed. The mechanical behavior of the latter element is characterized by only an elastic response to changes in the intraocular pressure. This model contains two main elastic parameters to be determined: the stiffnesses of the cornea and the scleral element. On the basis of the model proposed, calculations were performed for the applanation loading of the eye shell, in which case the load applied has the shape of a stamp with a sufficiently wide flat base. The function determining the dependence of the intraocular volume on the intraocular pressure and the load applied is calculated. It is shown that the elastic characteristic that can be obtained as the cornea is rapidly loaded by different weights (elastometry) cannot be directly used for estimating the elastic behavior of the eye during fluid inflation or prolonged loading (like in tonography). A relationship between the elastic characteristics of the system used for data interpretation in these groups of tests is established.
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