KERATOMETRY Meaning and
Definition
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Keratometry is a measurement technique used to determine the curvature of the cornea, which is the transparent outermost layer of the eye. It is commonly performed by optometrists and ophthalmologists to assess the corneal shape, particularly in the diagnosis and management of various eye conditions and in fitting contact lenses.
During keratometry, a specialized instrument called a keratometer or an automated keratometer is used. The patient is required to focus on a target while the keratometer emits a series of rings or light patterns onto the cornea. By measuring the reflection or pattern distortion caused by the cornea's curvature, the keratometer determines the values of the corneal radius of curvature and the corneal astigmatism. These values are typically represented in diopters (a unit of measurement for the refractive power of a lens).
Keratometry provides crucial information about the cornea's steepness or flatness in different meridians, allowing practitioners to diagnose refractive errors such as astigmatism and to monitor changes in corneal shape over time. It is also an important step in contact lens fitting, as an accurately measured corneal curvature helps ensure proper lens selection and fit.
In summary, keratometry is a key diagnostic tool in eye care, providing quantifiable measurements of the corneal curvature for the assessment of various eye conditions, refractive errors, and contact lens fitting.
Common Misspellings for KERATOMETRY
- jeratometry
- meratometry
- leratometry
- oeratometry
- ieratometry
- kwratometry
- ksratometry
- kdratometry
- krratometry
- k4ratometry
- k3ratometry
- keeatometry
- kedatometry
- kefatometry
- ketatometry
- ke5atometry
- ke4atometry
- kerztometry
- kerstometry
- kerwtometry
Etymology of KERATOMETRY
The word "keratometry" is derived from two Greek roots: "kerato", which means "cornea", and "metry", which means "measurement". Thus, "keratometry" refers to the measurement or examination of the cornea.
