Fluorescence spectroscopy for non-invasive measurement of mechanical stiffness after photo-crosslinking of rabbit cornea

Maura Williams; William Lewis; Antonio Ortega-Martinez; Walfre Franco

doi:10.1117/12.2252987

21 February 2017 Fluorescence spectroscopy for non-invasive measurement of mechanical stiffness after photo-crosslinking of rabbit cornea

Maura Williams, William Lewis, Antonio Ortega-Martinez, Walfre Franco

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10067, Optical Elastography and Tissue Biomechanics IV; 100670E (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2252987
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Keratoconus is a disease characterized by progressive steepening and thinning of the cornea, altering visual acuity and sometimes potentiating the need for corneal transplant if the disease progresses.^1–3 Corneal crosslinking, a procedure that uses topical riboflavin and UV light to increase the stiffness of the cornea through the creation of collagen crosslinks was recently approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether endogenous collagen fluorescence changes following treatment can be correlated to alterations in the stiffness of the cornea, thereby guiding treatment parameters. Study Design and Results: 78 ex-vivo rabbit eyes divided into three groups: riboflavin solution plus UV irradiation, dextran solution plus UV irradiation, and riboflavin solution only. An additional group of eyes received no treatment. The epithelium was removed from each sample and topical riboflavin was applied. Eyes were irradiated with a 365 nm black ray UV lamp for various treatment times, ranging from half the clinical treatment time to three times the length. Mechanical testing was performed to determine the force/displacement relationship for the various treatment times. Fluorescence spectral changes following treatment corresponded with changes in stiffness. In particular, a decrease in the value of fluorescence intensity at 290/340 nm excitation/emission wavelengths corresponded to an increase in corneal stiffness following treatment. It may be possible to use fluorescence spectral changes of endogenous corneal crosslinks to evaluate mechanical stiffness changes non-invasively.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Maura Williams, William Lewis, Antonio Ortega-Martinez, and Walfre Franco "Fluorescence spectroscopy for non-invasive measurement of mechanical stiffness after photo-crosslinking of rabbit cornea", Proc. SPIE 10067, Optical Elastography and Tissue Biomechanics IV, 100670E (21 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2252987

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available