OCT Vibrography for Biomechanical Properties of Tissues

This study is testing a new imaging technology called OCT Vibrography, which uses light (optical coherence tomography, or OCT) combined with mechanical vibrations to measure the stiffness and biomechanical properties of soft tissues. Tissue stiffness is a key indicator of health — for example, a cornea that is too soft may bulge outward (keratoconus), and early detection of these changes could guide treatment. This technology could offer a non-invasive, precise way to assess tissues in the eye, skin, and gums that is faster and more detailed than current methods. The study recruits four different groups: healthy adults aged 18 to 75 with normal eyes; healthy adults aged 18 to 75 with normal skin; healthy adults aged 18 to 75 with normal gums; and patients aged 18 to 40 with mild or moderate keratoconus (a progressive eye condition). Each group has its own set of exclusion criteria — for example, the eye group excludes anyone with previous eye disease or surgery, glaucoma family history, or allergy to anesthetic eye drops. Participants in all groups will simply undergo the non-invasive OCT Vibrography measurement, which involves no injections or surgical procedures. This foundational research is important because measuring tissue mechanics non-invasively could transform early detection of conditions like keratoconus, skin diseases, and gum disease — catching problems before they progress to the point of requiring invasive treatment.