On the Relationship between Corneal Biomechanics, Macrostructure, and Optical Properties

Ávila, Francisco J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marcellán, María Concepción (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Remón, Laura (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Optical properties of the cornea are responsible for correct vision; the ultrastructure allows optical transparency, and the biomechanical properties govern the shape, elasticity, or stiffness of the cornea, affecting ocular integrity and intraocular pressure. Therefore, the optical aberrations, corneal transparency, structure, and biomechanics play a fundamental role in the optical quality of human vision, ocular health, and refractive surgery outcomes. However, the inter-relationships of those properties are not yet reported at a macroscopic scale within the hierarchical structure of the cornea. This work explores the relationships between the biomechanics, structure, and optical properties (corneal aberrations and optical density) at a macro-structural level of the cornea through dual Placido-Scheimpflug imaging and air-puff tonometry systems in a healthy young adult population. Results showed correlation between optical transparency, corneal macrostructure, and biomechanics, whereas corneal aberrations and in particular spherical terms remained independent. A compensation mechanism for the spherical aberration is proposed through corneal shape and biomechanics.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/jimaging7120280

Año: 2021

Publicado en: JOURNAL OF IMAGING 7, 12 (2021), 280 [13 pp.]
ISSN: 2313-433X

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 4.8 - Engineering (Q2) - Medicine (Q2) - Computer Science (Q2)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.728 - Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design (Q2) - Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging (Q2) - Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Óptica (Dpto. Física Aplicada)