ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is associated with an impairment in corneal biomechanics. Using nanoindentation, spatially resolved measurement of biomechanical properties can be performed on corneal tissue. The aim of this study is to assess the biomechanical properties of corneas with keratoconus in comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: 17 corneas with keratoconus and 10 healthy corneas unsuitable for transplantation were included in the study. After explantation, corneas were kept in culture medium containing 15% dextran for at least 24 h. Nanoindentation was then performed to a depth of 25 µm at a force increase of 300 µN/min. RESULTS: A total of 2328 individual indentations were performed for this study. In the keratoconus group; the mean modulus of elasticity was 23.2 kPa (± 15.0 kPa) for a total of 1802 indentations. In the control group, the mean modulus of elasticity was 48.7 kPa (± 20.5 kPa) with a total of 526 indentations. The Wilcoxon test showed that the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Using nanoindentation, a significantly lower elastic modulus was found in corneas with keratoconus compared to corneas without keratoconus. Further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of how keratoconus affects corneal biomechanics.