PURPOSE: From a quantitative point of view, to determine if the viscous friction forces could act as possible promoters of ocular stabilization keeping the rotational movements, which would provide the necessary values to be used in the ocular system. METHODS: A mechanical model was created to measure the necessary forces to overcome the friction of an alluminum sphere partially kept in a viscous liquid. Solutions of carboxymethylcellulose from 1.0% to 6.0% (with a variation of 0.5%) were used. Another variant to be considered was the area of contact between the sphere and the viscous liquid. RESULTS: After appropriate corrections and discounts a meaningful force (over 5 gf) was found in the solutions of carboxymethylcellulose at 3.5% or more in the largest contact area (587.8 mm²), in the solutions of carboxymethylcellulose at 4.5% or more in the intermediate area (335.9 mm²), in the solutions of carboxymethylcellulose at 5.5% and 6.0% in the smallest area (167.9 mm²). CONCLUSION: Some of the viscous liquids tested are apparently able to ensure enough friction force for ocular stabilization, specially the solutions of carboxymethylcellulose at 5.5% and 6.0% which provided good results in the smallest contact area.
Oculomotor muscles; Eye movements; Nystagmus, pathologic; Strabismus; Viscosity; Carboxymethylcellulose; Optical rotation
