Abstract
.Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) strengthens the biomechanical properties of damaged corneas. Quantifying the changes of stiffness due to different CXL protocols is difficult, especially in vivo. A noninvasive elastic wave-based optical coherence elastography system was developed to construct in vivo corneal elasticity maps by excitation of air puff. Biomechanical differences were compared for rabbit corneas given three different CXL protocols while keeping the total energy delivered constant. The Young’s modulus was weaker in corneas treated with higher irradiance levels over shorter durations, and a slight increase of Young’s modulus was present in all groups one week after the recovery process. Due to the noninvasive nature and minimal force to generate corneal elastic waves, this technique has the potential for early detection and treatment of corneal diseases in clinic.
Highlights
Riboflavin and UV-induced corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) has been well-recognized as an effective treatment for progressive keratoconus.[1]
The widely used standard Dresden solution requires a 30-min infiltration of riboflavin solutions followed by 30 min of UV irradiation (3 mW∕cm2, 5.4 J∕cm2).[3]. It is difficult for some patients, for example, children and patients with Down syndrome,[4] to keep themselves focused on the target over a 30-min treatment
This study presented a noninvasive OCE system to construct in vivo elasticity maps of the cornea
Summary
Riboflavin and UV-induced corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) has been well-recognized as an effective treatment for progressive keratoconus.[1] The main step of CXL is a photochemical reaction between the riboflavin photosensitizer and UV light. This reaction strengthens the biomechanical properties of the cornea by increasing the covalent bonding in the stroma.[2] The widely used standard Dresden solution requires a 30-min infiltration of riboflavin solutions followed by 30 min of UV irradiation (3 mW∕cm2, 5.4 J∕cm2).[3] it is difficult for some patients, for example, children and patients with Down syndrome (a disease highly associated with keratoconus),[4] to keep themselves focused on the target over a 30-min treatment. Accelerated CXL treatments have shown promise in the clinic, an appropriate evaluation technique is necessary to find the balance between the time-consumption of CXL procedures and the efficiency
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
