Investigating corneal biomechanics using the BOSS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A prospective case-control study to investigate the Brillouin Spectroscopy of Normal Eyes and Eyes with Keratoconus, using the Intelon Brillouin Optical Scanner System (BOSS).
IRAS ID
332540
Contact name
Alex Day
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Keratoconus is a condition of the eye that results in progressive thinning of the cornea with resulting poor vision. Some studies state the prevalence to be as high as 1 in 500 people. It is thought that the corneas of people with keratoconus are weaker than those with normal eyes. Changes in corneal stiffness and elasticity are thought to occur early in the disease process before changes in corneal shape become apparent. However, efforts to measure the biomechanics properties of the cornea have thus far proven to be difficult.
We aim to use the BOSS (Brillouin Optical Scanner System), a new non-contact device, to measure the corneal biomechanics in patient with keratoconus. The BOSS works by using light energy to non-invasively measure reverberations through a depth of eye tissue.
It is hoped that by measuring the biomechanical properties of at-risk corneas, patients with early keratoconus can be identified early and treated to prevent progression of the disease.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0268
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion