NCT06993597

Study of Corneal Biomechanics in Glaucoma Patients Using Brillouin Microscopy

Development of Robust Corneal Biomechanical Biomarkers for Glaucoma Using Brillouin Microscopy

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This pilot study evaluates the biomechanical properties of the cornea in glaucoma patients using Brillouin microscopy, a non-contact imaging technique. The study aims to compare corneal stiffness between patients with normal-tension glaucoma, high-tension glaucoma, and healthy controls, and to assess changes in corneal biomechanics following intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering treatment. The goal is to determine whether Brillouin-derived biomechanical measurements can serve as biomarkers for glaucoma risk and progression.

Detailed description

This study explores the biomechanical properties of the cornea in patients with glaucoma using a novel, non-contact imaging technique called Brillouin microscopy. The technology allows in vivo assessment of tissue stiffness without physical perturbation, potentially offering new insights into glaucoma risk and response to therapy. The study includes two parts: a cross-sectional comparison between patients with normal- and high-tension glaucoma and healthy controls, and a longitudinal analysis of biomechanical changes following IOP-lowering treatment with either prostaglandin analogs or beta blockers. The goal is to determine whether corneal biomechanics can serve as a biomarker for glaucoma susceptibility and progression, and to evaluate the feasibility of integrating Brillouin imaging into clinical glaucoma care.

Conditions

• Glaucoma

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Prostaglandin Analogue -Containing IOP-Lowering Therapy	Subjects with glaucoma may be prescribed prostaglandin analogs as part of their clinical care. This group will be observed longitudinally to assess changes in corneal biomechanics.
DRUG	Beta Blocker	Subjects with glaucoma may be prescribed topical beta blockers as part of their clinical care. This group will be observed longitudinally to assess changes in corneal biomechanics.
DEVICE	Brillouin Microscopy	Brillouin microscopy is a non-contact optical imaging method used to assess the biomechanical properties of the cornea in vivo with three-dimensional resolution. It will be used to evaluate corneal stiffness in all study subjects.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-01
• Primary completion: 2026-03-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2025-05-29
• Last updated: 2025-09-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study