OCT-based, multi-spot assessment of corneal biomechanical asymmetries – clinical results

In clinical settings, precise biomechanical assessments of the cornea are crucial for early detection of keratoconus. Our study introduces the clinical application of a breakthrough multi-meridian technique that enables simultaneous 3-D deformation measurements, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of standard air-puff swept-source OCT systems. By implementing a spatial-depth-encoded multiplexing approach, we achieved a detailed 9-spot measurement of dynamic corneal deformations. The system's efficacy was rigorously evaluated through comprehensive ex vivo trials on porcine eyes and corroborated with in vivo experiments on human subjects. This innovative method has shown significant potential in identifying biomechanical asymmetries associated with keratoconus. Our findings indicate great capabilities in detecting biomechanical discrepancies indicative of keratoconus, positioning this technique as a promising diagnosis and monitoring tool for corneal pathologies.