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Article

Intraocular Pressure Damping by Corneal Elasticity and Viscosity Modulation Using Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses

by
Francisco J. Ávila
Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Optics 2025, 6(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt6020018
Submission received: 1 April 2025 / Revised: 5 May 2025 / Accepted: 8 May 2025 / Published: 9 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Optics)

Abstract

The biomechanical and optical properties of the cornea are responsible for its functional response, structural integrity and refractive function. Corneal viscoelasticity is the cornea’s ability to absorb transient increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) and constitutes a biomarker of glaucoma. The use of silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses (SiH-SCLs) can affect both corneal viscoelasticity and IOP. However, the behavior of the pure elastic and viscous components remains hidden within viscoelastic properties, and their influence and relationship with IOP in the biomechanical changes observed with short-term SiH-SCL use remains unknown. This study investigates the effects of silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses (SiH-SCLs) on corneal elasticity and viscosity and their influence on IOP over different lens wear periods: 10 or 20 consecutive days. Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) measurements were combined with a biomechanical Standard Linear Solid Model (SLSM) to differentiate and calculate the elastic and viscous components of the cornea. The results showed that after 10 days of lens wear, elasticity and viscosity increased, with a significant reduction in IOP. After 20 days, elasticity and viscosity decreased, with a further reduction in IOP, reflecting a time-dependent effect of SiH-SCLs on corneal biomechanics. The study indicates the potential protective role of corneal viscosity against changes in IOP, which may be used for glaucoma treatment.
Keywords: corneal biomechanics; intraocular pressure; corneal elasticity; corneal viscosity; silicone hydrogel contact lenses; glaucoma corneal biomechanics; intraocular pressure; corneal elasticity; corneal viscosity; silicone hydrogel contact lenses; glaucoma

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Ávila, F.J. Intraocular Pressure Damping by Corneal Elasticity and Viscosity Modulation Using Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses. Optics 2025, 6, 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/opt6020018

AMA Style

Ávila FJ. Intraocular Pressure Damping by Corneal Elasticity and Viscosity Modulation Using Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses. Optics. 2025; 6(2):18. https://doi.org/10.3390/opt6020018

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ávila, Francisco J. 2025. "Intraocular Pressure Damping by Corneal Elasticity and Viscosity Modulation Using Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses" Optics 6, no. 2: 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/opt6020018

APA Style

Ávila, F. J. (2025). Intraocular Pressure Damping by Corneal Elasticity and Viscosity Modulation Using Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lenses. Optics, 6(2), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/opt6020018

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