Drained secant modulus for human and porcine peripapillary sclera using unconfined compression testing.

Glaucoma is an ocular disease characterized by damage of the optic nerve head (ONH) resulting in blindness. Recent research has identified the material properties of the sclera as being an important factor in the biomechanics of major load bearing tissues near the ONH. Most mechanical investigations performed on sclera have focused on the tensile behavior of this tissue, neglecting its compressive stiffness.