Evaluation of Corneal Biomechanics Using Brillouin Microscopy in Chinese Adults With Myopia

To evaluate the corneal biomechanical metrics of Chinese adults with myopia and identify relevant factors of Brillouin microscopy.

In this cross-sectional study, corneal biomechanics in Chinese adults with myopia were quantified and analyzed using Brillouin microscopy and the Corvis ST (CST) (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) and analyzed. Univariate linear regression was used with potential factors including age, sex, spherical equivalent (SE), intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and mean keratometry (Kmean).

The study included 87 eyes of 87 participants (mean age: 24.47 ± 6.27 years). Central, Mean, maximum (Max), minimum (Min), standard deviation, and Max-Min Brillouin modulus (BM) values obtained from Brillouin microscopy exhibited values of 2.826 ± 0.039, 2.827 ± 0.027, 2.864 ± 0.034, 2.790 ± 0.038, 0.108 ± 0.042, and 0.074 ± 0.041 GPa, respectively. No significant correlations were found between BM parameters and age, sex, SE, IOP, or CCT. However, the Mean (β = -0.251, P = .019), Min (β = -0.315, P = .003), and Max-Min (β = 0.229, P = .033) BM values were significantly associated with Kmean. The Central, Mean, Min, and Max BM values negatively correlated with the Tomographic Biomechanical Index measured by CST (Spearman's r = -0.24, -0.35, -0.29, and -0.23, respectively, all P < .05).

Brillouin microscopy accurately reflects corneal biomechanical parameters in Chinese adults with myopia, independent of IOP and CCT, with a good correlation with CST. Concurrent evaluation of the corneal curvature is imperative when employing Brillouin microscopy in clinical practice. [.