Biomechanical Characterization of Human Corneal Lenticules

Abstract In surgical refractive interventions over-correction or under-correction still occur in 10-15 % of cases. Improved outcomes could be achieved by incorporating patient-specific corneal biomechanics into planning. As a first step, this study mechanically characterizes and numerically simulates lenticules harvested during intervention called Corneal Lenticule Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction (CLEAR). These human were tested uniaxial extension nasal-temporal 45 deg orientations. An HGO material model that accounts the unique collagen arrangement cornea was developed used to identify parameters using finite element experimental setup. The best represent force/displacement obtained parameter estimation Bayesian optimization. experiments performed on 3 patients did not show distinctive differences orientation. estimated fit well with data, representing promising model. future, Brillouin measurements will CLEAR before lenticule extraction so can vivo, providing surgeon patient specific-surgical planning tool.