Altered biomechanical properties are an important precursor for degenerative tissue pathologies. In the eye, diagnostic tools are demanded to be non-invasive, quickly-performed and of high resolution. To meet this need, a novel technique is presented based on an under-pressure chamber applying a homogenous mechanical load on the ocular shell similar to the intraocular pressure, and simultaneous phase-sensitive recording of axial displacements and strain by optical coherence tomography. Results are presented that visualize the instantaneous mechanical effect of patterned corneal cross-linking in ex vivo rat eyes, and the creep response of cornea and crystalline lens in an in vivo subject.
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