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Traditional studies that rely solely on fiber orientation to explain scleral mechanics may overlook the tissue\u2019s complex biomechanical behavior. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive investigation using ultrasonic elastography, optical coherence elastography, and polarizing light microscopy to analyze the equatorial sclera\u2019s anisotropic properties. Our findings reveal a counterintuitive result: Mechanical anisotropy in the equatorial sclera contradicts preferred fiber orientation. This integrated approach not only challenges prevailing models of scleral biomechanics but also provides fundamental insights into the mechanisms underlying key ocular conditions, highlighting the importance of multimodal and multiscale analyses in biological tissue research.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1126\/sciadv.adp8631","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,9]],"date-time":"2025-07-09T17:58:57Z","timestamp":1752083937000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.34133\/aaas_crossmark","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Multiscale analysis of equatorial sclera anisotropy: Revealing discrepancies in fiber orientation and mechanical properties"],"prefix":"10.1126","volume":"11","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6642-5904","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Runze","family":"Li","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Alfred E. 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