Axial mechanical and structural characterization of keratoconus corneas

Experimental Eye Research
Eric R MikulaJames V Jester

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that there is an axial gradient of collagen lamellar branching and anastomosing leading to regional differences in corneal tissue stiffness that may control corneal shape. To further test this hypothesis we have measured the axial material stiffness and quantified the collagen lamellar complexity in ectatic and mechanically weakened keratoconus corneas (KC). Acoustic radiation force elastic microscopy (ARFEM) was used to probe the axial mechanical properties of the cone region of three donor KC buttons. 3 Dimensional second harmonic generation microscopy (3D-SHG) was used to qualitatively evaluate lamellar organization in 3 kC buttons and quantitatively measure lamellar branching point density (BPD) in a separate KC button that had been treated with epikeratophakia (Epi-KP). The mean elastic modulus for the KC corneas was 1.67 ± 0.44 kPa anteriorly and 0.970 ± 0.30 kPa posteriorly, substantially below that previously measured for normal human cornea. 3D-SHG of KC buttons showed a simplified collagen lamellar structure lacking noticeable angled lamellae in the region of the cone. BPD in the anterior, posterior, central and paracentral regions of the KC cornea were significantly lower than in the overlyi...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 16, 2019·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Thomas L A VolatierChe J Connon
Oct 17, 2019·Cells·Tina B McKayDimitrios Karamichos
Oct 28, 2019·Omics : a Journal of Integrative Biology·Vishal ShindeShukti Chakravarti
Jul 16, 2020·Scientific Reports·A Ashofteh YazdiG Rus
Feb 25, 2021·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Dong ZhouAhmed Elsheikh
Aug 31, 2021·Biomedical Optics Express·Clothilde RaouxMarie-Claire Schanne-Klein

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