Keratometry measures corneal curvature using a keratometer or ophthalmometer. It’s painless, used to check for astigmatism, and can guide eye surgery. Results can be shared with other doctors for treatment.
Keratometry is a process that is used to measure the curvature of the cornea. It is performed by an eye doctor such as an ophthalmologist, using a device known as a keratometer or ophthalmometer. No special preparation is required by the patient for a keratometry session and the procedure is usually painless, unless a patient has difficulty sitting still. The basic keratometer was developed in the 1880s, although the design has been greatly refined since then.
In a keratometry procedure, a device is used to measure the degree of curvature of the cornea, looking for the shallowest and steepest curves. Most modern keratometers use computers and optical sensors, rather than forcing the doctor to make calculations, and the computer can compare the patient’s cornea against a database of known measurements and typical norms. Eventually, the numbers will be produced so that the keratometry data can be recorded in the patient’s medical record or passed on to other doctors.
One of the main reasons for performing keratometry is to check a patient for astigmatism, a vision problem caused by irregularities in the shape and curvature of the cornea, and to determine the degree of astigmatism. With the keratometer numbers, the doctor can determine what options are available to correct astigmatism so the patient can see more clearly. The device can also be used to look for irregularities in the shape of the cornea between the eyes.
Before some types of eye surgery, your surgeon may order keratometry to get a complete picture of your eye, and the measurements can also be used to guide the procedure. It is also common to have sessions with a keratometer after eye surgery so that the results of the surgery can be followed and the eye can be monitored for changes. Early identification of unexpected changes in the eye is crucial, as it can mean that an emerging problem is caught quickly.
As with prescriptions for corrective lenses, patients can bring their keratometry readings with them if they wish to receive treatment from another doctor. Patients can also request copies of their charts, which patients may want to do if they have complex eye problems and are moving to another area. Having a copy of the chart on hand can save a new eye doctor time and ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate care and treatment from the first viewing appointment.
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