title: Corneal biomechanical properties in different ocular conditions and new measurement techniques.
abstract: Several refractive and therapeutic treatments as well as several ocular or systemic diseases might induce changes in the mechanical resistance of the cornea. Furthermore, intraocular pressure measurement, one of the most used clinical tools, is also highly dependent on this characteristic. Corneal biomechanical properties can be measured now in the clinical setting with different instruments. In the present work, we review the potential role of the biomechanical properties of the cornea in different fields of ophthalmology and visual science in light of the definitions of the fundamental properties of matter and the results obtained from the different instruments available. The body of literature published so far provides an insight into how the corneal mechanical properties change in different sight-threatening ocular conditions and after different surgical procedures. The future in this field is very promising with several new technologies being applied to the analysis of the corneal biomechanical properties.
authors.affiliation: Clinical & Experimental Optometry Research Lab, Center of Physics (Optometry), School of Sciences, University of Minho, Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal ; Grupo de Investigación en Superficie Ocular y Lentes de Contacto, Departamento de Cirugía (Oftalmología), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: Nery
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garcia-Porta
authors.affiliation: Clinical & Experimental Optometry Research Lab, Center of Physics (Optometry), School of Sciences, University of Minho, Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3921-6357
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Clinical & Experimental Optometry Research Lab, Center of Physics (Optometry), School of Sciences, University of Minho, Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1045-4455
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Queiros
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospital de Entre Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal ; Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Escola, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Gondomar, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salgado-Borges
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Superficie Ocular y Lentes de Contacto, Departamento de Cirugía (Oftalmología), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parafita-Mato
authors.affiliation: Clinical & Experimental Optometry Research Lab, Center of Physics (Optometry), School of Sciences, University of Minho, Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: González-Méijome
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