Corneal-thickness spatial profile, corneal-volume distribution, percentage increase in thickness, and percentage increase in volume were different between keratoconic corneas and normal corneas and could serve as indices to diagnose keratoconus and screen refractive candidates. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether these tomographic indices are more sensitive and specific than the classic Placido-based topography.

Tomographic-derived pachymetric parameters were better able to differentiate normal and keratoconic corneas than single-point pachymetric measurements. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of tomography in identifying early forms of ectasia as well as ectasia risk among LASIK candidates.

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Objective: To describe a novel technique for clinical characterization of corneal biomechanics using non-invasive dynamic imaging. Methods: Corneal deformation response during non contact tonometry (NCT) is monitored by ultra-high-speed (UHS RESUMOObjetivo: Descrever uma nova técnica para caracterização clínica das propriedades biomecânicas da córnea, usando sistema de imagem dinâmica não invasivo. Métodos: A resposta de deformação da córnea é monitorada durante tonometria de não contato com fotografia de Scheimpflug de altíssima velocidade. O Oculus Corvis ST (Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) apresenta uma câmera UHS Scheimpflug que adquire mais que 4.300 fotos por segundo com cobertura de 8mm horizontais para monitorar a resposta de deformação durante a tonometria de não contato por sopro de ar. O pulso de ar é muito bem controlado, apresentando uma configuração simétrica em sua pressão, com máxima pressão da bomba fixa de 25 kPa. O movimento bidirecional da córnea em resposta ao jato de ar é monitorado. Resultados: A medida dura 30ms, com 140 fotos adquiridas. Algorítmos avançados identificam os limites anterior e posterior da córnea em cada imagem. A pressão intraocular (PIO) é calculada com base no primeiro momento de aplanação. A amplitude de deformação é determinada pelo maior deslocamento do ápice, durante o momento de maior concavidade. A extensão da aplanação e velocidade da córnea são medidos nas fases de entrada e saída. Conclusão: A deformação da córnea durante a tonometria de sopro por pulso de ar pode ser monitorada em detalhe com sistema de fotografia de altíssima velocidade. Os parâmetros gerados possibilitam caracterização clínica das propriedades biomecâmicas da córnea em duas dimensões. Tais achados têm relavância para diversas áreas da Oftalmologia.

Scheimpflug imaging has an important role for laser refractive surgery with different applications, which continuously improve due to advances in technology.

Background:Ectasia development occurs due to a chronic corneal biomechanical decompensation or weakness, resulting in stromal thinning and corneal protrusion. This leads to corneal steepening, increase in astigmatism, and irregularity. In corneal refractive surgery, the detection of mild forms of ectasia pre-operatively is essential to avoid post-operative progressive ectasia, which also depends on the impact of the procedure on the cornea.Method:The advent of 3D tomography is proven as a significant advancement to further characterize corneal shape beyond front surface topography, which is still relevant. While screening tests for ectasia had been limited to corneal shape (geometry) assessment, clinical biomechanical assessment has been possible since the introduction of the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, USA) in 2005 and the Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) in 2010. Direct clinical biomechanical evaluation is recognized as paramount, especially in detection of mild ectatic cases and characterization of the susceptibility for ectasia progression for any cornea.Conclusions:The purpose of this review is to describe the current state of clinical evaluation of corneal biomechanics, focusing on the most recent advances of commercially available instruments and also on future developments, such as Brillouin microscopy.

PURPOSE To evaluate the performance of the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, NY) variables and Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) tomographic parameters in differentiating forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC) from normal corneas, and to assess a combined biomechanical and tomographic parameter to improve outcomes. METHODS Seventy-six eyes of 76 normal patients and 21 eyes of 21 patients with FFKC were included in the study. Fifteen variables were derived from exported ORA signals to characterize putative indicators of biomechanical behavior and 37 ORA waveform parameters were tested. Sixteen tomographic parameters from Pentacam HR were tested. Logistic regression was used to produce a combined biomechanical and tomography linear model. Differences between groups were assessed by the Mann–Whitney U test. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was used to compare diagnostic performance. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found in age, thinnest point, central corneal thickness, and maximum keratometry between groups. Twenty-one parameters showed significant differences between the FFKC and control groups. Among the ORA waveform measurements, the best parameters were those related to the area under the first peak, p1area1 (AUROC, 0.717 ± 0.065). Among the investigator ORA variables, a measure incorporating the pressure-deformation relationship of the entire response cycle was the best predictor (hysteresis loop area, AUROC, 0.688 ± 0.068). Among tomographic parameters, Belin/Ambrósio display showed the highest predictive value (AUROC, 0.91 ± 0.057). A combination of parameters showed the best result (AUROC, 0.953 ± 0.024) outperforming individual parameters. CONCLUSIONS Tomographic and biomechanical parameters demonstrated the ability to differentiate FFKC from normal eyes. A combination of both types of information further improved predictive value.

Eight of 11 ocular biomechanical metrics given by the CorVis ST were associated with central corneal thickness, but the influence of central corneal thickness on these measurements was low.