The document outlines the principles, history, and clinical applications of keratometry, an optical technique used to measure corneal curvature. Developed by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1854, the keratometer aids in diagnosing astigmatism, fitting contact lenses, and assessing corneal integrity. It also highlights potential errors and disadvantages of the method, including measurement limitations and the impact of patient positioning.

1. KERATOMETRY
Shishir Shukla
Optometrist, Ocularist
MGM Eye Institute

2. Keratometer
It is an optical instrument which is use to
measure the central corneal curvature.
Kerato = cornea
Metry = measurement

3. History
Christopher Scheiner in 1619.
Ramsden in 1796.
Developed in 1854 by Hermann Von Helmholtz.
Later improved by Javal Schiotz & others.
The term keratometer is a registered trademark of
Bausch & Lomb now.

4. Helmholtz Assumption
Helmholtz proposed that the cornea was
spherical in shape and this hypothesis was the
basis of the design of the keratometer
The central cornea is spherical and becomes
flatter towards the periphery

5. Principle of Keratometer
The anterior surface of cornea acts as a
convex mirror and the size of the image
formed varies with its curvature .

6. Principle of Keratometer
The cornea is comparable to a convex mirror in that
it reflects the illuminated object of known size, i.e.
the mire (the target), forming an image which is
virtual, small and erect.
r=radius of curvature
d= distance between object and cornea
O= object size I=image size
r = 2d x I/O

7. Target Size 64 mm(6.4cm) used in
keratometer.
Object distance from patient eye each 75
mm(7.5cm).

8. Object and image size
Fixed object size : Image size varies
h (object size)constant
Variable doubling
B & L keratometer
Variable object size : Image size constant
h’(image size)constant
Fixed doubling
Javal Schiotz ophthalmometer

9. Configuration of mire(object ) used in B&L keratometer

10. Doubling principle
•Difficult to estimate the image height
because of continuous movement of the eye
•Prisms used to split the central image
into two images
•The distance between these images are
independent of the eye movement

11. The Doubling Principle
+
+ +
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
+
A
B
Adjustment of prism is made to align the doubled
images

12. Optical design
Illumination System
An observation System

13. Optical system of the B +L Keratometer
Sinners disk

14. Skeleton of keratometer

15. The plus and minus signs are the extremities
of the image and acts as reference points
Plus sign – Horizontal meridian
Minus sign – Vertical meridian

16. Eye piece
Vertical
adjustment
control
Focus control
Chinrest height
control
Body lock
Horizontal
power drum
Vertical
power drum
Axis rotation grip
PARTS OF KERATOMETR

17. Eye piece
Measurement
control
Focus control
Vertical adjustment
control
Chinrest height
control
Head rest
Chin rest
OccluderAxis drum
Power
switch
Axis rotation grip

18. Types of keratometer
One position keratometer.
Fixed object size variable image size
Exam. B & L keratometer
Two position keratometer.
Variable object size Fixed Image size
Exam. Javal schiotz ophthalmometer .

19. Clinical procedure of the
keratometry
Focus the eyepiece.
Instruct the patient.
Position the patient.
Adjust the instrument.
Locate the principal meridian.
Coincide the plus sign by horizontal drum.
Coincide the minus sign by vertical drum
Record the measurements.

20. Preliminary adjustments
•Position a white background in front
of occluder
•Turn the eyepiece cap anticlockwise
•Switch on the instrument lamp & view
through eyepiece :a blurred cross will be seen
•Slowly turn the eye cap in clockwise
direction till the cross is well focused

21. Target

22. Configuration of mire used in B&L
keratometer

23. Examiner’s view before focus

24. Examiner’s view before
alignment

25. Keratometry reading
K1 46D@90
K2 45.50@180
K1 46.00@120
K2 46.50@30

26. Examiner’s view after
alignment

27. Range of Keratometer
Bausch and Lomb
36 D(9.38mm) - 52 D(6.49)
Extended Keratometry.
If > 52.0 D add +1.25Dsp lens
add +9.00 D to K reading
If < 36D add – 1.00Dsp
add – 6.00 D to K reading

30. Uses of keratometer
• Measurement of corneal astigmatism.
• Estimate radius of curvature of cornea which helps in contact
lens fitting.
• Assess integrity of cornea and/or tear film.
• Detection of irregular astigmatism keratoconus/
pterygium/corneal scarring.
• Assess refractive error in cases with hazy media (Rough
estimate, comparison of two eyes).
• IOL power calculation.

31. Sources of error in keratometry
Improper calibration.
Faulty positioning of patient.
Lack of proper fixation by patient.
Reduced visual acuity of examiner.
Accommodative fluctuation by examiner
Localized corneal distortion
Abnormal lid position
Improper focusing of the corneal image

32. Disadvantage
•Central 3.0 mm of cornea can be measured.
•Irregular corneal surface can not be
measured.
•Cannot measure more than 52D & less
than 36D.
•Difficult to perform for nystagmus pt.