Mapping elasticity in human lenses using bubble-based acoustic radiation force

This study uses acoustic radiation pressure to displace a femtosecond laser-produced bubble in human lens tissue. Bubble displacement is monitored with low-amplitude, high-resolution ultrasound. Displacements are compensated by bubble size determined from ultrasonic backscatter. The Young's modulus is proportional to the inverse of the compensated displacement with the constant of proportionality determined from similar measurements in a controlled gelatin sample. Multiple measurements were obtained on 12 human lens specimens grouped into two age categories, middle-age (about 40 years old) and old-age (63–70 years old). There were 3 lenses from 2 donors in the middle-age group and 9 lenses from 5 donors in the old-age group. At each radial position, the median value was computed for all measurements within each group. For middle-age lenses, Young's modulus ranged from 5.2 kPa in the center to 1.1 kPa on the periphery. For old-age lenses, Young's modulus ranged from 10.6 kPa in the center to 1.4 kPa on the periphery. These values are the same order of magnitude as previous measurements using other techniques. The age related change in elasticity distribution is also similar to a previous study. Radially varying elasticity may provide insight into the mechanics of accommodation.