Modeling of human cornea in keratoconus disease and analysis with finite element method

Since the causes of Keratocunus disease are not known exactly, it has led scientists working in the field of medicine and engineering to turn to this field. With the advancement of technology in the field of bioengineering and the increase in the visual database, solution techniques have been developed to investigate the factors causing the disease. In the study, the cornea is a transparent and curved tissue located in the front of the eye, specialized to focus the light and protect the eye from external factors. Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea is deformed and protrudes in the shape of a cone. This change in the cornea causes the light to be unable to focus in the visual field. Although the causes of keratoconus disease are not fully known, it is known that eye rubbing is effective in the onset and progression of the disease. It becomes possible to predict the mechanical behavior of analysis with the finite element method against different loads applied on the eye and cornea, taking into account the rubbing and impact situation. The dimensions and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, density, yield strength, poise ratio, etc.) of keratoconic corneas of different patients using finite element modeling (SEM) and analysis status and corneal eye structure will be introduced to the ANSYS program. The analysis will be solved by executing Static Structural analysis steps (Contact point definition, Mesh, Material assignment, Load assignment and Solution). These procedures and the analyzes obtained will be repeated for all patient data. It can be used as a tool to investigate the biomechanical behavior of the cornea with the finite element method and allows to help predict corneal diseases in future studies.