Measurements of elastic modulus for human anterior lens capsule with atomic force microscopy: the effect of loading force

The purpose of the study was to appraise the effect of loading force magnitude on the determination of the elastic modulus of the anterior lens capsule through atomic force microscopy. Four human anterior lens capsules taken during phacoemulsification cataract surgery were studied, free of epithelial cells, with atomic force microscopy. For the experiment, five different indentation loading forces were applied to near areas of the specimen. Experimental data was exported and analyzed according to the Hertz model to obtain the Young’s modulus with regards to the elastic behavior of the material. Force–distance curves were acquired by applying a load of 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 nN. When examining the results it was evident that determination of Young’s modulus of the anterior lens capsule is dependent on the loading force concerning the examined range. Loading forces of 10 and 20 nN led to results without significant difference (p > 0.05) and more reproducible (coefficients of variation 12.4 and 11.7 %, respectively).