Aging and myopia are associated with changes in the biomechanical properties of vitreous, inducing fibrous liquefaction. Characterizing vitreous dynamics (rheology) during eye movements can provide a better understanding of biophysical changes in vitreous with disease, as well as provide a quantifiable clinical index of changes from both aging and myopia. Highly sensitive detection of the scattered light intensity in the eye and micrometer image resolution represent advantages of SS-OCT over other technologies to image vitreous. This investigation aims to characterize vitreous dynamics during eye movement. Specifically, we describe a technique for in vivo measurement of vitreous movement tracked over time using high-speed SS-OCT imaging. We also introduce velocimetry analysis of volumetric OCT data sets, enabling the characterization of velocity distributions of vitreous opacities in emmetropic and myopic eyes during horizontal saccades. In vivo imaging was performed with a prototype SS-OCT instrument. We use a manual tracking analysis method to extract velocimetry information on vitreous movement from in vivo data. The velocity of floaters in the vitreous was established by tracking their movement over time, resulting in the hypothesis that the vitreous is more liquid due to the age at which the floaters move faster.
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