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Researchers investigating new uses of femtosecond laser technology
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AUSTIN, Texas - Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing a new approach to measuring the biomechanical properties of the cornea using microbubbles created by a femtosecond laser, according to a press release from the university.
Stanislav Emelianov, PhD, and colleagues are developing new ultrasound transducers and optical probes to detect vibrations from the microbubbles created at different points in the cornea. Variations in the bubbles' vibrations indicate the stiffness or elasticity of the corneal tissue, according to the release.
"Using microbubbles to probe the stiffness of cornea tissue before LASIK would allow eye surgeons to better understand how much tissue to safely remove to achieve optimal results," the release said.
Additionally, Dr. Emelianov and colleagues plan to investigate whether femtosecond lasers could potentially be used for a novel treatment for presbyopia. The researchers will examine whether creating a series of pulsed-laser microbubbles in the outer rim of the crystalline lens could improve lens flexibility, according to the release.
Initial tests will involve experiments on synthetic materials with similar properties to ocular tissue as well as animal eyes and donated human eyes.
"In many types of eye surgery, it would be helpful to measure the biomechanical properties of the tissue being worked with," Dr. Emelianov said in the release. "Microbubbles produced by a femtosecond-pulsed laser could provide a single tool for making those measurements."