Visualization of the ocular pulse in the anterior chamber of the mouse eye in vivo using phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

We report on a phase-based method for accurately measuring the ocular pulse in the anterior chamber in vivo. Using phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography with optimized scanning protocols and equations for compensating bulk motion and environmental vibrations, a high sensitivity of 0.9 μm/s minimal velocity is demonstrated at a wide detection band of 0 to 380 Hz. The pulsatile relative motion between cornea and crystalline lens in rodents is visualized and quantified. The relative motion is most likely caused by respiration (1.6 Hz) and heartbeat (6.6 Hz). The velocity amplitude of the relative motion is 10.3 ± 2.4 μm/s. The displacement amplitudes at the respiratory and cardiac frequencies are 202.5 ± 64.9 and 179.9 ± 49.4 nm, respectively. The potential applications the measurement technique can be found in the evaluation of intraocular pressure and the measurement of biomechanical properties of the ocular tissue, which are important in several ocular diseases.