KERATOMETER

Md. Nooruz Zaman, M.Optom

Sankara College of Optometry

DESCRIPTION AND USES

The keratometer measures the radii of curvature of a

portion of the anterior surface of the cornea.
It is used for:
1. Measuring corneal astigmatism
2. Contact lens fitting
3. Biometry
4. Monitoring the shape of the cornea

 Measurement of : radii of curvature of the anterior

corneal surface, Dioptric power of the cornea, corneal
astigmatism, axis of principal meridian and convex and
concave contact lens surfaces.

Detection of irregularities of the corneal anterior

surface as well as soft contact lenses.

An aid in the determination of Intraocular Lens power.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Keratometers measure only relatively small areas of the
cornea approximately 3 mm in diameter.
For such small areas, the surface very closely
approximates a spherical or sphero-cylindrical surface
and is measured as such with the keratometer.
The keratometer considers the cornea as a convex
mirror and applies its optics

Optics on convex mirrors

It can be readily seen that for a given object size placed

at a given distance from a convex reflector the size of
the image formed depends on the radius of curvature of
the reflector.

When a keratometer is used to measure the radii of the

cornea of an eye, it is the anterior surface of the cornea
that provides a convex reflector

The keratometers to be described function on the basis of

either constant object size or of constant image size
The radius of the cornea varies through the various
meridians about its axis.
Consequently, for a keratometer to be useful, it must be
possible to measure radii in the various meridians about
the axis of the cornea.
To do this, the instruments are designed so that the object
used can be rotated with respect to that axis.
The objects used in keratometers are in various forms and
are usually referred to as mires.

Principal of Keratometer

Principal of Keratometer
Anterior surface of the cornea acts as a convex mirror and size of
the image formed varies with its curvature.
Greater the curvature lesser the image
Magnification of image, M = h/h=v/U
R= 2(hu)/h

h=size of image.
h=size of object.
v= image distance
U=object distance
R= radius of curvature

Compound Microscope

Compound Microscope.
Mire distance is 15cm from Eye
Compound Microscope is use for magnification.
Object (Mire)=Known size.

Biprism
Doubling principal.
Use of doubling.
Amount of doubling depends on position of prism with
respect to the objective.
Distance is inversely proportional to doubling.

Technique of alignment.
Variable Doubling Keratometer with fixed mires. B&L
Fixed doubling with Variable mires. Javal and schiotz

One & two position Keratometer

One position variable doubling:-

Instrument with fixed position & two separate doubling

system and give corneal curvature reading for both
meridian 90* & 180*

Two position fixed doubling: Instrument with fixed doubling and variable position. To
measure corneal curvature this device need to rotate 90*
from the old position. To measure corneal curvature at
90* one position & To measure corneal curvature at 180*
another position

Cornea & Keratometer

Cornea & Keratometer

Keratometer light --- Cornea.
Light is not reflected from center of cornea.
Two reflecting areas are important, Keratometer
principal is based on them.

JAVAL-SCHITZ
OPHTHALMOMETER

The operation of this type of keratometer is

based on variable object size and constant image
size. It employs a technique of

fixed doubling with Variable mires.

Javal-Schiotz Keratometer
Principle- variable object size and fixed image
size
Two position Instrument.
Mires are attached in front of the instrument.

Javal-Schiotz Keratometer
Illuminated different colors Mires.
Doubling is achieved with the help of Prism
behind the objective lens.
Whole instrument can rotate 90* for the
measurement of Both Meridians of Cornea.

 The doubling prism used in this instrument is a Wollaston

type. The doubling of the image by this prism is caused by
the bi refringent (double-refracting) characteristic of the
material of which it is made, i.e, a single beam of light
passing through such a material emerges as two beams.

 The appearance of the

mires in corneal
astigmatism

Javal-Schiotz Keratom..
1=separation too large
2= Separation too small
3=Correct.
4=Astigmatism.

Javal-Schiotz Keratometer
Specifications
Range:30.00 to 60.00Dioptres in 0.25 steps 5.50
to 11.00mm
radius in 0.05 steps.
Measurement Area:3.80 mm
Filters:Orange & Green
Eye-Piece:Focusable with hairline target
Joy-stick controlled.
Power Supply:Input 220/230 volts 50 cycles
output 6.0 volts.

Baush and Lomb Keratometer

This instrument utilizes the principles of constant

object size and variable image size for its operation.

The image doubling means is unique in that double

images are produced not side by side, but oriented 90

from each other.
This method of doubling allows the measurement of

both powers of an astigmatic cornea without rotating

portions of the instrument between measurements.

Baush and Lomb Keratometer

The Bausch & Lomb Classic Keratometer features
precision objectives
Achromatic prisms and uniform illumination.
Dual radii drums provide measurement readings
in both millimeters and diopters
One position variable doubling.
Two independent adjustable prisms.

Bausch and Lomb Keratometer

Lamp

Light

Patient Cornea

Mire

Apertures

Doubling Prism

Observer

Microscope eyepiece

Optics of The Keratometer

Configuration of mire used in Keratometer

Examiners view after alignment

View of image when measuring a horizontal

meridian

View of images in oblique astigmatism

Alignment of plus signs

Bausch and Lomb Keratometer

A = vertical Proper

/Horizontal Improper

B= vertical Improper
/Horizontal Proper

C= Proper.
D= Astigmatism.

Zeiss Keratometer

Zeiss Keratometer
1= Large doubling.
2=Small doubling.
3=Correct doubling.
4= Astigmatism.

Auto Keratometer

Auto Keratometer

Auto Keratometer
Central & peripheral corneal readings are taken.
In build soft wear.
Shape factor & vault height.

Auto Keratometer
Mires= Three Infrared emitting diode arranged
in triangular shaped
Diode image reflected from the cornea is
recorded
Advantages & Disadvantages.

Thank U