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In Vivo Biomechanical Characteristics of Human Corneas With Phase-Decorrelation OCT
Brecken J Blackburn1, Bassel Hammoud2, Lara Asroui2
1Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 10, 2026
Summary
Phase-decorrelation optical coherence tomography (PhD-OCT) offers repeatable measurements of corneal microstructure mobility. This technique reveals anterior to posterior stiffness gradients in normal corneas, aiding in understanding corneal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Optics
- Corneal Biomechanics
Background:
- Corneal mechanical properties are crucial for understanding ectatic diseases and surgical responses.
- Existing OCT systems can be adapted for advanced analysis like phase-decorrelation OCT (PhD-OCT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the repeatability and identify key markers of PhD-OCT in a normal clinical population.
- To assess the potential of PhD-OCT for analyzing corneal microstructure mobility.
Main Methods:
- Recruited patients undergoing refractive surgery evaluation.
- Performed triplicate PhD-OCT imaging using a commercial anterior segment OCT scanner.
- Calculated interclass correlation for repeatability and analyzed measurements by corneal depth and clinical variables.
Main Results:
- PhD-OCT showed an anterior to posterior gradient of corneal stiffness.
- Measurements demonstrated high repeatability (ICC of 89%).
- Corneal thickness was not a significant factor; age and sex showed significant variations.
Conclusions:
- PhD-OCT provides repeatable, spatially resolved insights into corneal microstructure mobility.
- The technique is implementable on existing clinical OCT hardware.
- Potential for identifying microstructural differences related to age and sex.
