Significance: It is generally agreed that the corneal mechanical properties are strongly linked to many eye diseases and could be used to assess disease progression and response to therapies. Elastography is the most notable method of assessing corneal mechanical properties, but it generally requires some type of external excitation to induce a measurable displacement in the tissue.

Aim: We present Heartbeat Optical Coherence Elastography (Hb-OCE), a truly passive method that can measure the elasticity of the cornea based on intrinsic corneal displacements induced by the heartbeat.

Approach: Hb-OCE measurements were performed in untreated and UV-A/riboflavin cross-linked porcine corneas ex vivo, and a distinct difference in strain was detected. Furthermore, a partially cross-linked cornea was also assessed, and the treated and untreated areas were similarly distinguished.

Results: Our results suggest that Hb-OCE can spatially map displacements in the cornea induced by small fluctuations in intraocular pressure, similar to what is induced by the heartbeat.

Conclusions: The described technique opens the possibility for completely passive and noncontact in vivo assessment of corneal stiffness.