Revealing anisotropic properties of cornea at different intraocular pressures using optical coherence elastography

摘要

In this study we have evaluated the elastic anisotropy of porcine corneas with increasing intraocular pressures (IOPs) using a noncontact optical coherence elastography (OCE) technique. A focused air-pulse induced low amplitude (≤10 μm) elastic waves in fresh porcine corneas (n=9) in situ in the whole eye-globe configuration. A phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) system imaged the propagation of the elastic wave in different stepped radial directions. A closed-loop feedback system was utilized to artificially manipulate the 1OP, and OCE measurements were repeated while the IOP was increased in 5 mmHg increments from 15 to 30 mmHg. The OCE measurements demonstrated that the elastic anisotropy of the cornea became more pronounced at higher IOPs, and that there were distinct radial angles of higher and lower stiffness. The presented noncontact OCE method was capable of detecting and assessing the corneal elastic anisotropy as a function of IOP. Due to the noninvasive nature and small amplitude of the elastic wave, this method may be able to provide additional information about corneal health and integrity in vivo.