Background: The in vivo analysis of corneal biomechanics in patients with keratoconus is especially of interest with respect to diagnosis, follow-up and monitoring of the disease.
Objective: For a better understanding it is necessary to describe the potential of dynamic Scheimpflug measurements for the detection and interpretation of biomechanical changes in keratoconus.
Material and methods: The current state of analyzing biomechanical changes in keratoconus with the Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) is described. This technique represents a new approach for understanding corneal biomechanics. Furthermore, it was investigated whether the device can biomechanically quantify a rigidity increasing effect of therapeutic UV-crosslinking and whether early stages of keratoconus can be detected using dynamic Scheimpflug analysis.
Results and discussion: In patients with keratoconus, the in vivo analysis of corneal biomechanics using dynamic Scheimpflug measurements as a supplementary procedure can be of advantage with respect to disease management. By optimization of screening of subclinical keratoconus stages, this method widens the analytic spectrum regarding diagnosis and follow-up of the disease; however, further studies are required to evaluate whether visual outcome of affected patients can be improved by earlier diagnosis.
Keywords: Biomechanics; Cornea; Corvis ST; Crosslinking; Keratoconus.