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Optical coherence elastography detects increased corneal stiffness in nonhuman primates with experimental glaucoma
Amandeep Singh1, Achuth Nair1, Zhihui She2
1University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Houston, Texas, United States.
Journal of Biomedical Optics
|October 13, 2025
Summary
Experimental glaucoma increased corneal stiffness in nonhuman primates. Optical coherence elastography revealed significant changes, highlighting its potential for diagnosing glaucoma-related ocular tissue remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Ocular Biomechanics
Background:
- Glaucoma is a primary cause of irreversible blindness, marked by optic nerve damage.
- Early glaucoma detection is crucial but hindered by an incomplete understanding of its development.
- Sustained ocular hypertension in glaucoma can alter the biomechanical properties of ocular tissues, including the cornea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if experimental glaucoma induces changes in corneal biomechanical properties.
- To determine if prolonged intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation alters corneal stiffness.
Main Methods:
- A nonhuman primate model (Macaca mulatta) of unilateral experimental glaucoma was used.
- Trabecular meshwork was lasered to induce glaucoma in one eye; the fellow eye served as control.
- Wave-based optical coherence elastography (OCE) was employed to measure corneal stiffness at multiple frequencies, alongside IOP and central corneal thickness measurements.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in wave speed, indicative of increased corneal stiffness, was observed in the experimental glaucoma eyes compared to control eyes (p < 0.01).
- These findings were consistent across both subjects studied.
Conclusions:
- Experimental glaucoma leads to measurable changes in corneal biomechanical properties.
- Wave-based OCE is a promising technique for assessing corneal stiffness alterations resulting from chronic pressure elevation in glaucoma.
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