Topography and pachymetry maps for mouse corneas using optical coherence tomography

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Alice S. Liu, Duke University; Dillon M. Brown, Emory University; Rachel E. Conn, Emory University; Ryan P. McNabb, Duke University; Machelle Pardue, Emory University; Anthony N. Kuo, Duke University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-01-01
• Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: 2019
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2019.107868
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
• Volume: 190
• Start Page: 107868
• End Page: 107868
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [R01 EY024312, R01 EY016435]; and Department of Veterans Affairs Rehab R&D Research Career Scientist Award IK6 RX003134; and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Program Award DGE 1444932.
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Ophthalmology; INDEX; SDOCT; EYE; IMAGES; DISTORTIONS; PARAMETERS; MICE; Life Sciences & Biomedicine
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Opthamology; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

The majority of the eye's refractive power lies in the cornea, and pathological changes in its shape can affect vision. Small animal models offer an unparalleled degree of control over genetic and environmental factors that can help elucidate mechanisms of diseases affecting corneal shape. However, there is not currently a method to characterize the corneal shape of small animal eyes with topography or pachymetry maps, as is done clinically for humans. We bridge this gap by demonstrating methods using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to generate the first topography and pachymetry (thickness) maps of mouse corneas. Radii of curvature acquired using OCT were validated using calibration spheres as well as in vivo mouse corneas with a mouse keratometer. The resulting topography and pachymetry maps are analogous to those used diagnostically in clinic and potentially allow for characterization of genetically modified mice that replicate key features of human corneal disease.