Zhang Fengyi, Li Runze, Li Yan, Zhu Zhikai, Zhou Qifa, Chen Zhongping
IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2024 Mar;71(3):732-737. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2023.3316606. Epub 2024 Feb 26.
Optical coherence elastography (OCE) was used to demonstrate the relationship between the elasticity of the optic nerve head (ONH) and different intraocular pressure (IOP) levels in an in-vivo rabbit model for the first time.
Both ex-vivo and in-vivo rabbit ONH were imaged using OCE system. A mechanical shaker initiated the propagation of elastic waves, and the elasticity of the ONH was determined by tracking the wave propagation speed. The elasticity of the ONH under varying IOP levels was reconstructed based on the wave speed. Notably, the ONH exhibited increased stiffness with elevated IOP.
In the in-vivo rabbit models, the Young's modulus of ONH increased from 14 kPa to 81 kPa with the IOP increased from 15 mmHg to 35 mmHg. This revealed a positive correlation between the Young's modulus of the ONH and intraocular pressure.
The OCE system proved effective in measuring the mechanical properties of ONH at different IOP levels, with validation in an in-vivo rabbit model.
Considering ONH plays a critical role in vision and eye diseases, the capability to image and quantify in vivo ONH biomechanical properties has great potential to advance vision science research and improve the clinical management of glaucoma patients.
首次在兔活体模型中使用光学相干弹性成像（OCE）来证明视神经乳头（ONH）弹性与不同眼压（IOP）水平之间的关系。
使用OCE系统对兔离体和活体的ONH进行成像。一个机械振动器引发弹性波的传播，并通过跟踪波传播速度来确定ONH的弹性。基于波速重建了不同IOP水平下ONH的弹性。值得注意的是，随着IOP升高，ONH的硬度增加。
在兔活体模型中，随着IOP从15 mmHg升高到35 mmHg，ONH的杨氏模量从14 kPa增加到81 kPa。这揭示了ONH的杨氏模量与眼压之间存在正相关。
OCE系统在测量不同IOP水平下ONH的力学性能方面被证明是有效的，并在兔活体模型中得到了验证。
鉴于ONH在视觉和眼部疾病中起着关键作用，对活体ONH生物力学特性进行成像和量化的能力在推进视觉科学研究和改善青光眼患者的临床管理方面具有巨大潜力。
