Abstract
We proposed a novel method together with system to quantify the corneal biomechanics. The objectives of this study are to develop a method to measure the corneal biomechanical propertiesin vivoand to evaluate the performance of AIOCT system. A novel AIOCT system was established and a mathematical model was built on the basis of the current air-jet indentation method. Experiments were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of eleven custom-made silicone corneal mimicking phantoms by the AIOCT system under different intraocular pressures (IOP). The results were then compared with those measured by the standard mechanical tensile test and indentation test. The phantom’s moduli were ranged from 0.08 to 1.03 MPa according to the tensile and indentation test. The elastic moduli of corneal silicone phantoms (Eairjet) were measured using the AIOCT system with the proposed mathematical model at four IOPs (0.6, 15.3, 29.8, and 44.7 mmHg). TheEairjetwere agreed well with the corresponding moduli (Etensile) measured by the tensile test (Eairjet= 1.188Etensile,R2= 0.925). The preliminary results showed that this technique was capable of measuring corneal biomechanical propertiesin vivoand it may provide a clinical potential non-invasive and non-contact means to the diagnosis of keratoconus suspects in the future.
Highlights
Corneal biomechanical properties are shown to be correlated with the pathologies of corneal degeneration diseases like keratoconus, keratectasia, pellucid marginal degeneration [1, 2] and glaucoma [3, 4]
In keratoconus patient’s stroma, the collagen fibrils and interfibrillary substance loss and slippage lead to biomechanical instability of cornea and subsequently cause alteration of the corneal tomography [8, 9]
Eleven silicone corneal mimicking phantoms with different elasticity were fabricated with the initial central corneal thickness of 504.12 ± 17.04 μm
Summary
Corneal biomechanical properties are shown to be correlated with the pathologies of corneal degeneration diseases like keratoconus, keratectasia, pellucid marginal degeneration [1, 2] and glaucoma [3, 4]. The quantitative clinical measurement of corneal biomechanical properties in vivo will make a significant difference in the early and sensitive diagnosis preoperatively on keratectasia suspects whose corneas are softer than normal, but corneal thickness and tomography would otherwise be within the normal criteria for surgery. Considering such a complication can occur months or even years after the surgery [10, 11], the prompt diagnosis during the official visits is helpful for early interventions on the cases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
