Multiphoton microscopy imaging analysis: non-destructive inspection for the cornea

Abstract

Abstract Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) can create high penetration depth, low photodamage, real-time and 3-dimensional-tissue subcellular resolution images of the cornea. It surmounts the difficulty of non-destructive or in vivo detection caused by the sensitivity of the cornea. The emerging technology overcomes the high photodamage and low image contrast of general optical inspection by using nonlinear optical processes. Different chemical composition in the cornea excites diverse up-conversion photons to form the image and spectra, providing accurate and comprehensive information of the cornea. MPM, which combines the advantages of optical imaging and spectral measurement technique, provides the detection of metabolic, cell density, keratitis, drug delivery, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, and fiber orientation of the cornea. We review the state of the art of MPM imaging analysis studies and discuss prospects.