Brillouin Microscopy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71413/ew8xm670Keywords:
Corneal biomechanics, Brillouin microscopy, KeratoconusAbstract
Relevance
Brillouin microscopy represents a major advance in the investigation of corneal biomechanics, enabling three-dimensional, non-invasive assessment of tissue viscoelasticity and showing considerable potential for diagnostic applications.
Abstract
The study of corneal biomechanics enables the detection of structural alterations in the cornea, facilitating the diagnosis of pathologies such as keratoconus and other ectatic disorders. Forced-applanation techniques are widely used; however, they do not allow for the direct assessment of tissue elasticity. The recent development of Brillouin microscopy (BM) provides a means to estimate the viscoelastic properties of corneal tissue by detecting frequency shifts in light as it traverses the cornea, thereby generating a three-dimensional, non-contact map of the entire structure.
Beyond its application in ectasia detection, this technology has also been investigated for the diagnosis of corneal dystrophies and the evaluation of post-refractive surgical outcomes. Nevertheless, variations in measurement accuracy due to corneal hydration status, as well as the time required for data acquisition, remain key limitations. A multimodal approach combining optical coherence tomography with BM appears to represent a promising direction for future research in corneal biomechanics.
The aim of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the main applications of this technique in the fields of ophthalmology and clinical optometry. A total of 681 studies were initially identified, of which 211 documents published within the last five years were selected: 183 original research articles, 27 narrative reviews, and 1 systematic review. The databases consulted included Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, SciELO, and Web of Science. Search strategies employed keywords such as “Brillouin microscopy,” “Brillouin spectroscopy,” “corneal biomechanics,” “mechanical anisotropy,” and “corneal cross-linking.” Ultimately, 24 of the selected articles were analyzed in detail, covering the most relevant aspects for the preparation of this paper.
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Copyright (c) 2025 María Ángeles Giménez Gimeno, Laura Trivez Valiente, Dra. Galadriel Giménez Calvo (Autor/a)
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