Corneal topography and tomography

Abstract

Devices that evaluate corneal properties are an indispensible tool in a eye clinic nowadays. With the arrival of new technology in addition to placido based devices, the options available now are many. Cornea based refractive surgery in Indian eyes poses a challenge due to relatively thinner corneas. This is also compounded by lack of well defined, rigid and universal criteria for case selection for the same. In this article we attempt to look at the most common methods of corneal assessment in relation to the selection of candidates for corneal refractive surgery with a review of relevant literature. This is not meant to be exhaustive, but a primer to ease the clinician into understanding and taking up to learn and practice corneal evaluation.

Keywords

• Tomography
• topography
• corneal vertex
• corneal apex
• saggital curvature
• elevation
• reference surface