Measuring corneal properties to predict treatment outcomes

Corneal Elastography and Patient Specific Modeling

The Cleveland Clinic · NCT03030755

This study is testing new ways to measure the shape and strength of the cornea to see if it can help predict how well treatments like LASIK will work for people with keratoconus or those needing eye surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages16 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic (other)
Locations1 site (Cleveland, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT03030755 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to develop tools for measuring and simulating individual responses to corneal treatments, focusing on patients with keratoconus and those undergoing refractive surgery like LASIK. Participants will have their eyes imaged using optical coherence tomography to assess corneal mechanical properties, and computational models will be created to predict how the cornea will respond to various treatments. The study seeks to validate the hypothesis that these models can accurately forecast changes in corneal shape within acceptable error limits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients diagnosed with keratoconus or those scheduled for LASIK surgery.

Not a fit: Patients unable to provide informed consent or those with cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans for patients with corneal conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this study's specific focus on individualized corneal modeling is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Any patient with keratoconus diagnosed by standard criteria, including topographic steepness, irregular astigmatism with a pattern consistent with keratoconus.
* Any patient deemed a candidate for LASIK (laser vision correction) and scheduled for surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to provide informed consent, including non-English speaking (if interpreter not available) and cognitively/mentally impaired (if legal guardian not available).

Where this trial is running

Cleveland, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cornea, Ectasia, Refractive Errors, Keratoconus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.