Near-infrared Fourier transform Raman spectroscopic study of cornea and sclera.

Near-infrared excited Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy was applied in situ on intact rabbit cornea and sclera. High quality Raman spectra were obtained noninvasively from these tissues. The characteristic bands assigned to proline and hydroxyproline appeared in the region of 800-1000 cm-1. Raman spectra of purified type I collagen and other components of the cornea and sclera were also determined. The main elements of the spectra of the cornea and sclera originated from the collagen proteins, and other components such as proteoglycan contributed little. Near-infrared excited Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy can be used for biophysical study of the cornea and sclera in situ or in vivo.