Axial and instantaneous power conversion in corneal topography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a direct relationship exists between the two common measures of corneal topography--axial and instantaneous powers--that are based on corneal slope or curvature, respectively.


METHODS
The theoretical relationship between axial and instantaneous powers was derived for unrestricted shapes using equations of basic calculus.


RESULTS
It was found that axial power at any point y on the cornea is exactly equal to the average of the instantaneous powers from the axis to point y.


CONCLUSIONS
A simple relationship exists between axial and instantaneous powers that is valid for the intersection of any surface by a meridional plane. This provides a practical means for converting between axial and instantaneous powers for clinical applications of corneal topography.
Klein
S A
SA
School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley 94720-2020, USA.
Mandell
R B
RB
D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological