Study of Corneal Biomechanics in Glaucoma Patients Using Brillouin Microscopy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older

Diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or no history of glaucoma (for controls)

Open angle on gonioscopy (Shaffer grade 3 or 4)

Best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better

Refractive error between +3.00 and -5.00 diopters

No prior use of topical glaucoma medications

Diagnosis of:

High Tension Glaucoma (IOP ≥ 22 mmHg on 3 visits)

Normal Tension Glaucoma (IOP ≤ 21 mmHg on 3 visits)

OR age-matched control with normal optic nerve and visual fields

Exclusion Criteria:

Corneal abnormalities or conditions interfering with Brillouin or applanation tonometry

Retinal diseases affecting RNFL (e.g., macular traction)

History of ocular surgery or laser

Diagnosis of diabetes

History of uveitis

History of prolonged steroid use

Neurodegenerative or systemic diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia)

Unreliable visual fields

Contraindications to beta blockers (e.g., bradycardia, severe pulmonary disease)

Moderate to severe glaucoma (per Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish criteria)

History of contact lens use

Low blood pressure