# No-Touch High Resolution Optical Coherence Elastography of the Cornea using a Heartbeat

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2024 · $549,599

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The mechanical properties of the cornea determine the structural characteristics of the ocular globe and may be
altered in several devastating disease states, including axial elongation in myopia, pathological deformation in
keratoconus, and iatrogenic keratoectasia following corneal refractive surgery. Accurate measurement of corneal
biomechanics with high spatial resolution would not only influence our clinical interpretation of diagnostic tests,
e.g., measuring intraocular pressure or assessing effects of drug therapies, but also predict the development of
posterior eye diseases, such as glaucoma. Currently, there is no available reliable method to perform quantitative
measurement of corneal elasticity in vivo and with high resolution. Here we propose a novel method for a “no-
touch” assessment of corneal elastic properties. Such a technology, termed heart-beat optical coherence
elastography (hbOCE), could revolutionize methods for routine corneal examination, bringing additional
mechanical information and warrant rapid clinical adaptation.
The project has four primary Specific Aims:
Aim 1 is focused on the development of a hbOCE system capable of high-speed volumetric measurement of
corneal deformation under small intrinsic IOP changes.
Aim 2 will test the developed system in the eyes ex vivo.
Aim 3 will test the system in eyes in vivo in rabbits.
Aim 4 will perform in vivo human studies to refine measurement methods for broader clinical use.
The proposed project will make fundamental advances in the understanding of corneal biomechanics through a
novel approach with potentially impactful applications in other disciplines (e.g., corneal surgery, LASIK, corneal
cross-linking, corneal transplants, personalized treatments). Most importantly, the proposed studies will
accelerate the transition of ocular elastography into clinics, influence our selection and application of corneal
surgical treatments, and will help us understand the structural consequences of corneal diseases and wound
healing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10899731
- **Project number:** 5R01EY033978-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kirill V Larin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $549,599
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10899731

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10899731, No-Touch High Resolution Optical Coherence Elastography of the Cornea using a Heartbeat (5R01EY033978-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10899731. Licensed CC0.

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