6th March 2019 - Seminar - Elastic jumps on networks - towards a mathematical framework for predicting retinal haemorrhage - Dr Peter Stewart (University of Glasgow)

Time: 13:00-14:00

Venue: MATH-105, First Floor, Department of Mathematical Science Building

Abstract: The optic nerve is a collection of nerve fibres which connect the photoreceptors in the retina to the brain. This nerve is surrounded by a sheath, which contains a thin layer of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the intracranial pressure. The central retinal artery and vein, which supply the retinal circulation, pass through the centre of the optic nerve as they enter the eye, but about half way back from the globe they deviate and pass through the nerve sheath into the surrounding fatty tissue. Hence, these blood vessels form an interesting point of coupling between the eye and the brain. In this talk I will show how modelling of the flow of CSF along the nerve sheath and the flow of blood in the central retinal artery and vein can provide a route to abrupt pressure changes in the retinal circulation. In particular, I will demonstrate how a large increase in CSF pressure is transmitted into the retinal artery and vein, leading to a spreading shock wave through the retinal circulation and the possible rupture of retinal blood vessels (ie retinal haemorrhages).