Advances in optical coherence elastography in ophthalmology

Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is a novel technique developed in recent years to investigate the biomechanical properties of tissues, similar to optical coherence tomography angiography, a functional version of optical coherence tomography.OCE utilizes load excitation to detect the mechanical response of ocular tissues, facilitating quantitative analysis of stress-strain curves, Young’s modulus, and other biomechanical indicators.It also generates two-dimensional/three-dimensional elastic maps of the tissues.With its noninvasive, high-resolution, real-time, rapid, and three-dimensional imaging capabilities, OCE provides both structural and mechanical information about ocular tissues, opening up new dimensions in ocular disease diagnosis and pathogenesis research.This article introduced the technical classification and research status of OCE, and highlighted its research progress in ophthalmology, including its applications in assisted refractive surgery design, keratoconus patient screening, assessment of corneal cross-linking surgery efficacy, cataract diagnosis and grading, measurement of retinal biomechanics, and research into myopia pathogenesis.The challenges and opportunities for clinical translation of OCE in ophthalmology were also discussed.

Optical coherence tomography; Optical coherence elastography; Biomechanics; Diagnostic techniques; Ophthalmology