REAL TIME ACOUSTIC DOSIMETRY FOR CORNEAL COLLAGEN CROSSLINKING

摘要

A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

主权项

1. A method of corneal crosslinking comprising:
(a) irradiating a cornea in an eye of a living subject with light to induce crosslinking of collagen in the cornea; and (b) monitoring the crosslinking by
(i) directing ultrasonic energy into the cornea and determining a response of the cornea to the ultrasonic energy using one or more transducers; and(ii) repeating the directing and determining steps using the same one or more transducers to provide a baseline response before commencement of the light applying step and one or more additional responses during the light applying step; and(iii) comparing the additional responses to the baseline response.