Biomechanical aspects of oculomotor muscles in strabismus using nanoindentation method

Disorders of the position of the eyeballs are an Actual problem not only in pediatric, but also in adult ophthalmology. According to scientific studies, the prevalence of strabismus among the adult population ranges from 2,6–4 %. For older patients, this condition becomes a source of significant psychological discomfort, since a noticeable eye deviation is perceived as a serious aesthetic defects. This feature significantly affects various aspects of life: it makes it difficult to find a prestigious job, social adaptation becomes more difficult, and self-esteem and self-confidence in communication decrease. In contrast to childhood, when the focus is mainly on the functional restoration of vision. The etiology of strabismus in adults has its own characteristics: it often develops as a result of traumatic injuries, neurological or oncological pathology, endocrine disorders. A special category consists of patients with long-term friendly strabismus that began in childhood. Surgical treatment remains the main method of correcting strabismus in adults. However, despite the variety of modern surgical techniques, the results of operations do not always meet the expectations of patients, especially in the presence of low vision in the deviated eye or incorrect fixation. At the same time, repeated surgical interventions become more complex and less predictable due to changes in the structure of the oculomotor muscles and surrounding tissues. This article presents the results of a study of the mechanical properties of oculomotor muscles and tendons in various forms of strabismus. The study was carried out using the nanoindentation method, which allowed us to obtain detailed information about hardness, modulus of elasticity, phase shift and other key parameters of tissue biomechanics. The data obtained indicate significant differences in the mechanical characteristics of the studied samples, which may be related to the pathogenesis of strabismus.