Open AccessSpatial characterization of corneal biomechanical properties with optical coherence elastography after UV cross-linking
Author(s) -
Michael D. Twa,
Jiasong Li,
Srilatha Vantipalli,
Manmohan Singh,
Salavat R. Aglyamov,
Stanislav Emelianov,
Kirill V. Larin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.5.001419
Subject(s) - keratoconus , optical coherence tomography , elastography , optics , amplitude , biomedical engineering , ultrasound , materials science , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , ophthalmology , stiffness , medicine , limiting , cornea , radiology , physics , composite material , mechanical engineering , engineering , quantum mechanics
Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a clinical treatment for keratoconus that structurally reinforces degenerating ocular tissue, thereby limiting disease progression. Clinical outcomes would benefit from noninvasive methods to assess tissue material properties in affected individuals. Regional variations in tissue properties were quantified before and after CXL in rabbit eyes using optical coherence elastography (OCE) imaging. Low-amplitude (<1µm) elastic waves were generated using micro air-pulse stimulation and the resulting wave amplitude and speed were measured using phase-stabilized swept-source OCE. OCE imaging following CXL treatment demonstrates increased corneal stiffness through faster elastic wave propagation speeds and lower wave amplitudes.