Eye diseases are a major global health issue, affecting a significant portion of the population worldwide. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, many eye diseases are still poorly understood, leading to limited treatment options for those affected. In a recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have introduced a new approach to investigating the structure of the sclera, the outer layer of the eyeball, using a novel form of optical coherence tomography (OCT).
The motivation behind this study was the lack of detailed imaging techniques available to ophthalmologists for examining the sclera in living patients and specimens. The sclera, composed of collagen fibers, plays a crucial role in protecting important eye structures such as the retina and optic nerve. Abnormalities in the sclera can lead to various complications and ultimately result in vision loss. Traditional methods of measuring scleral thickness have been limited, with little information available on the orientation of collagen fibers throughout the eye.
To address this limitation, the researchers developed a setup for conducting polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT), a technique that utilizes the polarization of light to enhance contrast in imaging. By taking advantage of the birefringence property of the sclera, which is characteristic of fibrous tissues with organized nanostructures, PS-OCT can provide detailed information on the density and orientation of collagen fibers within the sclera. This innovative approach allowed the team to explore the structural properties of the sclera in patients with highly myopic eyes, focusing on the relationship between myopia and dome-shaped macula (DSM) – a condition where the retina bulges outward.
Through their analysis of PS-OCT images from 89 highly myopic eyes, the researchers found distinct structural differences between the inner and outer layers of the sclera. In patients with DSM, the researchers observed changes in the aggregation and thickness of collagen fibers in the inner layer, as well as compression and thinning of fibers in the outer layer. These findings highlight the potential of PS-OCT in visualizing the organization of fibrous tissue in eye structures and its implications for clinical research, diagnostics, and therapeutics for scleral pathologies.
The successful application of PS-OCT in visualizing scleral abnormalities could lead to significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of eye diseases. By identifying specific fiber patterns in the sclera, researchers may be able to develop targeted therapies to address scleral abnormalities early on and prevent damage to important neural tissues in the eye. Ultimately, these discoveries have the potential to protect and preserve the vision of individuals affected by a range of eye conditions, offering new hope for improved treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with eye diseases.