Noninvasive and non-contact assessment of corneal hydration in real time using optical coherent tomography

Understanding the influence of water content and its movement across the cornea as it relates to endothelial pump function could provide crucial information for detection and treatment of corneal diseases. The aim of the current study is to develop a non-contact technique for non-invasive assessment of the function and morphology of the cornea by determining the distribution of water within the cornea as well as the dynamic of cornea dehydration and rehydration following topical applications of dehydrating agents. An Optical Coherent Tomographic system was utilized to monitor the changes in cornea thickness and its optical properties in rabbit eyes in vivo following topical application of ophthalgan. The profile of scattering appears to correlate inversely on a qualitative basis with the hydration gradient across the cornea while exact and rapid measurements of the corneal thickness as function of time were quantified.