Corneal viscoelasticity measurements under different intraocular pressures using handheld optical coherence elastography

Abstract

Accurate measurement of corneal viscoelasticity is essential for diagnosing ocular diseases and understanding corneal biomechanics. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is a promising technique for high-resolution imaging and quantitative assessment of tissue elasticity. However, existing OCE methods often struggle to provide comprehensive viscoelastic measurements of the cornea under varying intraocular pressures (IOPs). In this study, we present a method based on elastic wave dispersion for measuring corneal viscoelasticity using a handheld OCE system integrating non-contact air-puff excitation and a compact probe design. The elastic wave dispersion method, validated through experiments on agar phantoms, enables precise quantification of both elastic and viscous properties of the cornea. The system's effectiveness was further demonstrated by measuring corneal viscoelasticity in ex vivo porcine corneas at different IOPs. Our results show that the elastic wave dispersion method, combined with the handheld OCE system, provides a flexible and effective approach for assessing corneal viscoelasticity, offering valuable insights into corneal biomechanics under clinically relevant conditions.