Study of Corneal Biomechanics in Glaucoma Patients Using Brillouin Microscopy

University of Maryland, Baltimore60 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study evaluates the biomechanical properties of the cornea in glaucoma patients using Brillouin microscopy, a non-contact imaging technique. The study aims to compare corneal stiffness between patients with normal-tension glaucoma, high-tension glaucoma, and healthy controls, and to assess changes in corneal biomechanics following intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering treatment. The goal is to determine whether Brillouin-derived biomechanical measurements can serve as biomarkers for glaucoma risk and progression.

This study explores the biomechanical properties of the cornea in patients with glaucoma using a novel, non-contact imaging technique called Brillouin microscopy. The technology allows in vivo assessment of tissue stiffness without physical perturbation, potentially offering new insights into glaucoma risk and response to therapy. The study includes two parts: a cross-sectional comparison between patients with normal- and high-tension glaucoma and healthy controls, and a longitudinal analysis of biomechanical changes following IOP-lowering treatment with either prostaglandin analogs or beta blockers. The goal is to determine whether corneal biomechanics can serve as a biomarker for glaucoma susceptibility and progression, and to evaluate the feasibility of integrating Brillouin imaging into clinical glaucoma care.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Glaucoma

Interventions

Subjects with glaucoma may be prescribed prostaglandin analogs as part of their clinical care. This group will be observed longitudinally to assess changes in corneal biomechanics.

Beta BlockerDRUG

Subjects with glaucoma may be prescribed topical beta blockers as part of their clinical care. This group will be observed longitudinally to assess changes in corneal biomechanics.

Brillouin MicroscopyDEVICE

Brillouin microscopy is a non-contact optical imaging method used to assess the biomechanical properties of the cornea in vivo with three-dimensional resolution. It will be used to evaluate corneal stiffness in all study subjects.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: \- Age 18 years or older Diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or no history of glaucoma (for controls) Open angle on gonioscopy (Shaffer grade 3 or 4) Best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better Refractive error between +3.00 and -5.00 diopters No prior use of topical glaucoma medications Diagnosis of: High Tension Glaucoma (IOP ≥ 22 mmHg on 3 visits) Normal Tension Glaucoma (IOP ≤ 21 mmHg on 3 visits) OR age-matched control with normal optic nerve and visual fields Exclusion Criteria: Corneal abnormalities or conditions interfering with Brillouin or applanation tonometry Retinal diseases affecting RNFL (e.g., macular traction) History of ocular surgery or laser Diagnosis of diabetes History of uveitis History of prolonged steroid use Neurodegenerative or systemic diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia) Unreliable visual fields Contraindications to beta blockers (e.g., bradycardia, severe pulmonary disease) Moderate to severe glaucoma (per Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish criteria) History of contact lens use Low blood pressure

Locations (1)

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Corneal Biomechanical Modulus

Brillouin microscopy will be used to measure the corneal modulus of elasticity. The primary outcome is the change in corneal stiffness (Brillouin shift in MHz) across time points in subjects treated with prostaglandin analogs versus beta blockers, and between groups at baseline (NTG, HTG, controls).

Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks

Central Contacts

Osamah Saeedi, MD

CONTACT

16672141232 osaeedi@som.umaryland.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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