Objective The tendency of elastic modulus on trabecular meshwork (TM) surface was measured and numerical simulation was derived using an anisotropic model, so as to verify rationality of the anisotropic model. Methods Atomic force microscope (AFM) indentation tests were conducted on four TM samples from two rats at different locations, and simulation experiment was conducted to measure elastic modulus at different locations of TM surface based on the proposed anisotropic TM model. Results The tested TM elastic modulus varied at different test locations on TM surface and reached the minimum value in the middle of TM. The anisotropic TM model could reliably simulate this phenomenon. Conclusions The anisotropic TM mechanical model has strong theoretical significance and practical values in describing mechanical characteristics of TM. Meanwhile, the model can explain the huge differences in elastic modulus obtained by uniaxial stretch of TM tissues and by AFM indentation test. Therefore, the anisotropic TM model is a better description for TM mechanical properties