In vivo non‐contact measurement of human iris elasticity by optical coherence elastography

• Published in: Journal of biophotonics Vol. 14; no. 9; pp. e202100116 - n/a
• Main Authors: Ye, Shuling, Zhou, Yuheng, Bao, Chenhong, Chen, Yulei, Lu, Fan, Zhu, Dexi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 01.09.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: air‐puff optical coherence elastography; Coherence; Glaucoma; human iris elasticity; in vivo imaging; Iris; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Morphology; Ophthalmology; Optical properties; Scholte wave
• ISSN: 1864-063X; 1864-0648
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202100116

Quantifying the mechanical properties of the iris can offer valuable insights into the pathophysiology of primary angle closure glaucoma. However, current techniques for iris elastography remain ex vivo with limited clinical applications. This article describes a proposition for a non‐contact and non‐invasive air‐puff optical coherence elastography (OCE) system that can evaluate iris elasticity in vivo. Ten eyes recruited from seven subjects underwent OCE imaging acquisition under three different illumination conditions. The Young's modulus of each eye was detected and shown to be inversely proportional to the iris length, indicating a relationship between mechanical properties and morphology of the iris. With its noninvasive and high‐resolution features, this air‐puff system shows great potential for applications in clinical ophthalmology. The non‐contact air‐puff OCE system is developed to evaluate iris elasticity in vivo with high repeatability. Ten subject eyes was recruited and underwent OCE imaging acquisition under three different illumination conditions. The mean Young's modulus of each group was shown to be inversely proportional to the iris length.