Purpose: To investigate the elastic properties of human lens zonules as a function of age in presbyopes.
Methods: We studied 16 presbyopic human donor eyes (ages 47-97). Anterior eye sections with crystalline lens, zonules, ciliary body, and sclera were stretched radially. The stretching device consisted of a chamber filled with balanced salt solution and eight radial hooks to hold the anterior eye section. Radial stretching was created with a stepper motor connected to a digital outside micrometer for linear displacement and digital balance for force measurement. Three eye globes were used to test our methodology. For 13 eye globes, the spring constant, elastic modulus of the zonular system, and Young's modulus of the zonules were calculated.
Results: We found linear dependence for force-elongation and force-strain relationships at all ages. In young presbyopic eyes (ages 47-60), the Young's modulus of the zonules was 340 mN/mm(2), whereas in older eyes (ages 83-97) it was significantly lower at 270 mN/mm(2). However, the correlation coefficient between Young's modulus and age (47-97 years) was not significant with P = 0.063.
Conclusions: The zonular system in presbyopic eyes was linear elastic, and the Young's modulus of the zonules decreased 20% from presbyopic age to late presbyopic age. However, there was no significant correlation between Young's modulus and age in presbyopes.