A keratometer works by reflecting an image off of two points in the cornea, and utilizes the relationship between object size, the size of the image reflected, and the distance between the object and the keratometer. The result is a minimum and maximum curvature value for the cornea.

What does the keratometer actually measure?

1. A keratometer. This device measures the curvature of the anterior corneal surface based on the power of a reflecting surface. It does this by measuring the size of an image reflected from 2 paracentral points and utilizes doubling prisms to stabilize the image enabling more accurate focusing.

What do keratometer readings determine?

Keratometry (K) is the measurement of the corneal curvature; corneal curvature determines the power of the cornea. Differences in power across the cornea (opposite meridians) results in astigmatism; therefore, keratometry measures astigmatism.