New clinical instrument for the early detection of cataract using dynamic light scattering and corneal topography

Rafat R. Ansari, Manuel B. Datiles III, James F. King, Pascal O. Rol, Karen M. Joos, Fabrice Manns
2000 Ophthalmic Technologies X  
A growing cataract can be detected at the molecular level using the technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS). However, the success of this method in clinical use depends upon the precise control of the scattering volume inside a patient's eye and especially during patient's repeat visits. This is important because the scattering volume (cross-over region between the scattered light and incident light) inside the eye in a high-quality DLS set-up is very small (few microns in dimension). This
more » ... recise control holds the key lbr success in the longitudinal studies of cataract and during anti-cataract drug screening. We have circumvented these problems by fabricating a new DLS fiber optic probe with a working distance of 40 mm and by mounting it inside a cone of a corneal analyzer. This analyzer is frequently used in mapping the corneal topography during PRK (photorefraetive keratectomy) and LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) procedures in shaping of the cornea to correct myopia. This new instrument and some preliminary clinical tests on one of us (RRA) showing the data reproducibility are described.
doi:10.1117/12.387509 fatcat:udjoyjppfrf47entdzl7yw3yji