Physics Meets Vision: Imaging and Computational Modeling of the Optic Nerve Head

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, driven by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons. This degeneration originates in a structurally complex region at the back of the eye known as the optic nerve head. While elevated intraocular pressure is the most prominent risk factor, the precise mechanisms by which mechanical loading leads to axonal damage remain poorly understood. In this talk, I will present how we integrate advanced imaging with physics-based computational modeling to investigate two leading hypotheses for how pressure contributes to retinal ganglion cell damage in glaucoma. These approaches allow us to visualize tissue-scale deformations, quantify microstructural changes, and simulate the biomechanics and hemodynamics of the optic nerve head under varying pressure conditions. By linking mechanics to neurodegeneration, our work seeks to provide new insights into the biophysical pathways of disease. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential not only for advancing fundamental knowledge in ocular biomechanics but also for developing improved methods for early diagnosis and treatment strategies that can preserve vision.