In vivo photoacoustic imaging for monitoring treatment outcome of corneal neovascularization with metformin eye drops

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) compromises corneal avascularity and visual acuity. Current clinical visualization approaches are subjective and unable to provide molecular information. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging offers an objective and non-invasive way for angiogenesis investigation through hemodynamic and oxygen saturation level (sO(2)) quantification. Here, we demonstrate the utility of PA and slit lamp microscope for in vivo rat CNV model. PA images revealed untreated corneas exhibited higher s02 level than treatment groups. The PA results complement with the color image obtained with slit lamp. These data suggest PA could offer an objective and non-invasive method for monitoring CNV progression and treatment outcome through the sO(2) quantification. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

Photoacoustic imaging combined with slit lamp microscopy can effectively detect corneal neovascularization and provide objective data. Untreated corneas showed higher oxygen saturation levels compared to treatment groups. These results suggest that photoacoustic imaging can serve as an effective method for monitoring CNV progression and treatment outcomes.