Corneal biomechanics: Measurement and structural correlations

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Corneal biomechanical properties are vital for managing eye diseases and predicting surgical outcomes.
• Current methods lack a gold standard for measuring these properties.
• Advances in imaging technology are crucial for improving corneal analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in in vivo corneal biomechanical measurement techniques.
• To explore the potential of novel imaging modalities for understanding corneal structure-function relationships.
• To highlight the impact of these advancements on clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on corneal biomechanical measurement techniques.
• Discussion of advancements in 1-dimensional (1D) air-puff based methods.
• Introduction of novel imaging modalities like optical coherence elastography (OCE), Brillouin microscopy, and phase-decorrelation ocular coherence tomography (PhD-OCT).

Main Results:

• 1D air-puff techniques are evolving with novel analyses.
• New imaging modalities offer 3D insights into local biomechanical behavior.
• These technologies enhance understanding of corneal structure, mechanics, and refractive function.

Conclusions:

• Technological progress is enhancing in vivo corneal biomechanical analysis.
• These advancements promise more personalized medical and surgical strategies for eye care.
• Improved characterization of corneal biomechanics will significantly impact clinical practice.