Spöler Felix, Först Michael, Kurz Heinrich, Frentz Markus, Schrage Norbert F
RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Semiconductor Electronics, Sommerfeldstrasse 24, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
J Biomed Opt. 2007 Jul-Aug;12(4):041203. doi: 10.1117/1.2768018.
The use of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) to visualize penetration kinetics during the initial phase of chemical eye burns is evaluated. The changes in scattering properties and thickness of rabbit cornea ex vivo were monitored after topical application of different corrosives by time-resolved OCT imaging. Eye burn causes changes in the corneal microstructure due to chemical interaction or change in the hydration state as a result of osmotic imbalance. These changes compromise the corneal transparency. The associated increase in light scattering within the cornea is observed with high spatial and temporal resolution. Parameters affecting the severity of pathophysiological damage associated with chemical eye burns like diffusion velocity and depth of penetration are obtained. We demonstrate the potential of high-resolution OCT for the visualization and direct noninvasive measurement of specific interaction of chemicals with the eye. This work opens new horizons in clinical evaluation of chemical eye burns, eye irritation testing, and product testing for chemical and pharmacological products.
评估了使用高分辨率光学相干断层扫描（OCT）来可视化化学性眼烧伤初始阶段的渗透动力学。通过时间分辨OCT成像监测局部应用不同腐蚀性物质后离体兔角膜的散射特性和厚度变化。眼烧伤由于化学相互作用或渗透失衡导致水合状态改变，从而引起角膜微观结构的变化。这些变化损害了角膜透明度。在角膜内观察到光散射相关的增加，具有高空间和时间分辨率。获得了影响与化学性眼烧伤相关的病理生理损伤严重程度的参数，如扩散速度和渗透深度。我们证明了高分辨率OCT在可视化和直接无创测量化学物质与眼睛的特定相互作用方面的潜力。这项工作为化学性眼烧伤的临床评估、眼刺激测试以及化学和药物产品的产品测试开辟了新的视野。
