Date of Award
5-1-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Engineering Science
First Advisor
Yi Hua
Second Advisor
Shan Jiang
Third Advisor
Sushil Mishra
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
The lamina cribrosa is a critical structural component of the optic nerve head and is believed to play a central role in the development of glaucoma. Understanding how its geometry and microarchitecture influence the mechanical behavior is essential for improving computational models of the optic nerve head. However, the complex structure of the lamina cribrosa presents a difficult challenge for experimental and computational investigations. In this study, two computational modeling approaches were developed to investigate the influence of structural representation on lamina cribrosa biomechanics. A curvature-based continuum model was used to examine the effects of the anterior surface geometry, parameterized using the lamina cribrosa global shape index (GSI). In addition, a Voronoi-based beam model was developed to represent the trabecular microarchitecture without a dependence on imaging using a procedurally generated network. Results from the continuum model demonstrate that variations in surface curvature significantly affect stress and strain distribution and deformation patterns. The beam-based model highlights the role of microstructural features, such as beam thickness, in controlling mechanical behavior. These findings suggest that the choice of modeling approach has a large impact on the predicted biomechanical response, with the continuum model displaying global trends and the beam model highlighting the local load transfer mechanisms. This work highlights the importance of structural representation in computational modeling of the lamina cribrosa and provides a foundation for future studies aimed at improving biomechanical understanding of glaucoma.
Recommended Citation
Schwartz, Lydia, "Computational Modeling of Lamina Cribrosa Biomechanics" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8872.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/8872