Custom Spectrophotometer

Measure the influx and efflux of various drugs through the cornea in real time.

Authors: Giancarlo Paternoster, Dr. Roy Chuck

Projected Date of Completion: February 2025

At the core of this study is a custom-designed spectrophotometer, built to enable precise measurement of riboflavin diffusion in ophthalmic research. The device features a 440 nm LED and a 10-channel AS7341 spectral sensor for high-resolution optical analysis. Its compact design includes a cuvette interface that seamlessly integrates with artificial anterior chambers to replicate physiological conditions. The spectrophotometer provides continuous real-time tracking of riboflavin concentrations in a balanced saline solution (BSS), ensuring accurate and reproducible data collection. Vibratory mixing ensures solution homogeneity, while an integrated data-logging system captures results for further analysis.

This advanced spectrophotometer was employed to study riboflavin efflux in crosslinked and uncrosslinked human corneas. Using cadaveric corneas mounted on artificial anterior chambers, the study measured riboflavin concentrations at timed intervals to construct diffusion profiles. Results showed that crosslinked corneas exhibited slower diffusion rates, reflecting the impact of structural changes induced by corneal crosslinking (CXL). These findings provide critical insights into optimizing riboflavin application protocols and improving the safety and efficacy of CXL procedures while advancing the broader understanding of corneal drug diffusion dynamics.