Corneal Biomechanics

First and foremost: the biomechanics of the eye influences its function in multiple ways. Visual acuity, for example, is extremely dependent on biomechanics. The cornea is viscoelastic, which means that it has both viscous and elastic elements.

The elastic properties play a key role in diagnosing keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus, among other things. Not only the structure and thickness of the cornea must be measured – corneal rigidity and elasticity are at least as important in reaching a diagnosis.

For refractive surgeons, for example, this means:

• You can more reliably rule out patients at risk for ectasia after LASIK.
• You increase safety with each surgical intervention.

Biomechanical properties also play a large role in glaucoma diagnostics. This is due in part to the fact that the IOP levels that are corrected based on corneal biomechanics are much closer to normal IOP levels than those corrected with conventional procedures. These factors are not considered in conventional Goldmann tonometry.

In addition to exact IOP, viscosity and hysteresis are also extremely significant in glaucoma. Therefore, taking these factors into account can raise glaucoma screening to a new level.

The combination of Corvis^® ST and Pentacam^® is ideal for these purposes.