Ongoing Research Projects
- Development of an innovative corneal cross-linking treatment for keratoconus.
- Application of adaptive optics technology in Ophthalmology.
- Optimization of femtosecond laser parameters for corneal surgery.
- Analysis of corneal tissue nanomechanics.

"Development of an innovative cross-linking treatment for keratoconus"
A new transepithelial corneal cross-linking treatment is going to evaluated by Dr. Marco Lombardo.

"Application of adaptive optics technology in Ophthalmology"
The first available compact Adaptive Optics retinal camera prototype is used to evaluate the retinal microscopy in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from retinal disases.

"Optimization of femtosecond laser parameters for corneal surgery"
Laser efficiency and laser-tissue interaction are investigated through appropriate changes in pulse energy and spot separations between adjacent pulses to optimize the surface smoothness of photodisrupted stroma.

“Analyis of the human corneal tissue nanomechanics”
The aim of the present research project is to determine the nanomechanics of the human corneal tissue using Atomic Force Microscopy techniques (AFM). This study represent a milestone in the Vision Science research field.

Past Research Projects
- Analysis of the biomechanical response of the cornea to endotelial keratoplasty procedures.
- Analysis of the biomechanical response of the cornea to excimer laser surgery.- Submicroscopic analysis of the corneal surface and the biophysics of laser-tissue interaction.
- Analysis of the re-epithelialization dynamics of the cornea following photo-ablation with regards to surface curvature.
- Analysis of the optical quality of the cornea following excimer laser surgery and study of new metrics of visual and optical quality.
- Analysis of intra-ocular biocompatibility.
- Study and development of a laser interferometric system for the analysis of corneal tissue.
- Study and development of a Liquid-crystal ocular wavefront sensor.

“Analysis of the biomechanical response of the cornea to endotelial keratoplasty procedures
Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK) procedures are nowadays commonly used to replace the diseased endothelium avoiding to perform Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) for Fuch dystrophy or Bullous Keratopathy. Between EK procedures, Descemet's Stripping Automated Endotelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) is now the most performed surgical technique. The present research project aims to characterize the response of corneal topography to EK procedures, such as DLEK and DSAEK, in order to minimize postoperative complications, further optimizing refractive results.

“Analysis of the biomechanical response of the cornea to excimer laser surgery”
This research project aimed to determine the typical biomechanical response of the cornea to excimer laser surgery. The work was conducted by analysing hundreds corneal topographies of eyes undergoing excimer laser surgery for myopia. We demonstrated a different response of the cornea in relation to the amount of refractive correction and to the anatomical characteristics of the corneal surface.

“Submicroscopic analysis of the corneal surface and the biophysics of laser-tissue interaction”
During this research project we analysed, by means of AFM, numerous photoablated corneal specimens. We determined the 3-D nanotopography of both normal, untreated, and treated corneal tissues. Also, we aimed to quantitatively determine the success of performing the smoothing technique immediatley after PRK procedure (see Refractive Surgery or Publications sections for further information).

“Analysis of the re-epithelialization dynamics of the cornea following photo-ablation with regards to surface curvature”
In this research project we determined the re-epithelialization dymanics of the corneal surface following surface ablation procedures. We demonstrated how the re-epithelializatio process is influenced by numerous variables, such as surface curvature and smoothness.

“Analysis of the optical quality of the cornea following excimer laser surgery and study of new metrics of visual and optical quality”
We developed new predictors of optical quality following laser surgery, such as the MTF ratio. Also, during this research project we anlysed the long-term optical response of the cornea to excimer laser surgery in different light conditions, demonstrating a high visual performance folloing low-myopic ablations.

“Analysis of intra-ocular lens biocompatibility”
This research project aims to charactrize the physico-chemical properties, on a nanometric scale of observation, of current intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) currently used after phacoemulsification surgery to replace the cataractosous lens. By means of AFM, the surface topography and adhesive properties of IOLs have been studied in order to determine the main IOL surface characteristics responsible for the development of Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO), that is the first postoperative complication following cataract surgery. PCO is a clouding of the posterior capsule of the lens.

“Study and development of a laser interferometric system for the analysis of corneal tissue
During this research project we aimed to design a laser interferomteric system to analyze the corneal response in relation to various intraocular pressure values.

 “Study and development of an innovative ocular wavefront sensor”
The present research project aim to develop, in an optical bench, an innovative system for sensing the wavefront aberration of the human eye using liquid-crystals technology.