Effect of applanation tonometry on mean corneal curvature.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether applanation tonometry affects corneal curvature and if so, the implications for intraocular lens power calculation.


METHODS
Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, Birmingham, England.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients attending the preoperative assessment clinic were enrolled in the study. Keratometry was performed immediately before, 1 minute after, and 10 minutes after standard Goldmann tonometry. Main outcome measures were mean corneal refractive power and its reproducibility (coefficient of repeatability).


RESULTS
No clinically significant difference was noted between preapplanation and postapplanation readings (P = .6), and reproducibility was not significantly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that corneal applanation before keratometry does not compromise the prediction of postoperative refraction.
Beatty
S
S
Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, England.
Nischal
K K
KK
Jones
H
H
Eagling
E M
EM
D000368:Aged; D001699:Biometry; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular