International Review of Ophthalmology ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (4): 260-265.doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115500-20260326-26404

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Applications of the finite element method in glaucoma research

Fu Chenyu, Fu Lin, Liang Yuanbo   

  1. National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Zhejiang 325027, China
  • Received:2026-03-26 Online:2026-08-25 Published:2026-08-14
  • Contact: Liang Yuanbo, Email: yuanboliang@wmu.edu.cn

Abstract: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, associated with elevated intraocular pressure, biomechanical injury of the optic nerve head and lamina cribrosa, and abnormal aqueous humor outflow. Conventional approaches fail to quantitatively reveal its mechanical pathogenesis. As a important computational approach, the finite element method (FEM) enables accurate simulation of ocular tissue stress, strain, and fluid dynamics. FEM quantifies lamina cribrosa displacement, stress concentration, and asymmetric distribution under high IOP, confirms increased outflow resistance caused by trabecular meshwork stiffening, and helps optimize IOP measurement, drug delivery, and surgical safety. This review summarizes advances of FEM in glaucoma research, discusses challenges in modeling, and explores the prospects of its integration with artificial intelligence and multiphysics coupling, providing reliable biomechanical evidence for precision management.

Key words: Finite element method, Glaucoma, Biomechanics