Computational modeling of corneal and scleral collagen photocrosslinking

Brandon G Gerberich; Amy J Wood-Yang; Afsane Radmand; Lauren M Nichols; Amir Hejri; Elisa Schrader Echeverri; Hannah G Gersch; Mark R Prausnitz

doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.042

Computational modeling of corneal and scleral collagen photocrosslinking

J Control Release. 2022 Jul:347:314-329. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.042. Epub 2022 May 13.

Authors

Brandon G Gerberich¹, Amy J Wood-Yang², Afsane Radmand², Lauren M Nichols², Amir Hejri², Elisa Schrader Echeverri¹, Hannah G Gersch¹, Mark R Prausnitz³

Affiliations

¹ Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
² School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
³ Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: prausnitz@gatech.edu.

PMID: 35513208
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.042

Abstract

Scleral photocrosslinking is increasingly investigated for treatment of myopia and glaucoma. In this study a computational model was developed to predict crosslinking efficiency of visible/near infrared photosensitizers in the sclera. Photocrosslinking was validated against riboflavin corneal crosslinking experimental studies and subsequently modeled for the sensitizer, methylene blue, administered by retrobulbar injection to the posterior sclera and irradiated with a transpupillary light beam. Optimal ranges were determined for treatment parameters including light intensity, methylene blue concentration, injection volume, and inspired oxygen concentration. Additionally, sensitivity of crosslinking to various parameters was quantified. The most sensitive parameters were oxygen concentration in the injection solution, scleral thickness, and injection reservoir thickness (i.e., injection volume).

Keywords: Collagen photocrosslinking; Computational model; Cornea; Methylene blue; Riboflavin; Sclera.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Collagen
Computer Simulation
Cross-Linking Reagents
Methylene Blue*
Oxygen
Sclera*

Substances

Cross-Linking Reagents
Collagen
Oxygen
Methylene Blue

Grants and funding

R01 EY025286/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States