Measurement of an Elasticity Map in the Human Cornea

PURPOSE: The biomechanical properties of the cornea have an important role in determining the shape of the cornea and visual acuity. Since the cornea is a nonhomogeneous tissue, it is thought that the elastic properties vary throughout the cornea. We aim to measure a map of corneal elasticity across the cornea. METHODS: An acoustic radiation force elasticity microscope (ARFEM) was used to create a map of corneal elasticity in the human cornea. This ARFEM uses a low frequency, high intensity acoustic force to displace a femtosecond laser-generated microbubble, while using a high frequency, low intensity ultrasound to monitor the position of the microbubble within the cornea. From the displacement of the bubble and the magnitude of the acoustic radiation force, the local value of corneal elasticity is calculated in the direction of the displacement. Measurements were conducted at 6 locations, ranging from the central to peripheral cornea at anterior and posterior depths. RESULTS: The mean anterior elastic moduli were 4.2 ± 1.2, 3.4 ± 0.7, and 1.9 ± 0.7 kPa in the central, mid, and peripheral regions, respectively, while the posterior elastic moduli were 2.3 ± 0.7, 1.6 ± 0.3, and 2.9 ± 1.2 kPa in the same radial locations. CONCLUSIONS: We found that there is a unique distribution of elasticity axially and radially throughout the cornea.