Spencer Whiteman

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  Student Presentation: A theoretical model of tissue oxygenation in the retina
  Spencer Whiteman

  Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and vision loss. Although elevated intraocular pressure is the primary risk factor for OAG, several studies have shown that impaired perfusion and oxygen delivery to retinal ganglion cells may also contribute to OAG pathophysiology. In this study, a realistic vascular network model of the mouse retina is developed based on previously published confocal microscopy images and modeling data. A mathematical model based on Green’s functions is applied to this network to predict tissue oxygenation in a healthy retina. The model will be extended to predict the conditions that lead to observed tissue oxygenation changes in glaucoma patients. Preliminary model predictions suggest that theoretical models in combination with oximetry measures are needed to guide the differentiation and identification of the most relevant risk factors for OAG.

  
  

  Mentor: Julia Arciero, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Purdue School of Science, IUPUI