Radius and asphericity of the posterior corneal surface determined by corrected Scheimpflug photography.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the shape of the posterior corneal surface in a healthy population, using Scheimpflug photography corrected for distortion due to the geometry of the Scheimpflug imaging system and the refraction of the anterior corneal surface.


METHODS
The posterior corneas of 83 subjects, ranging in age from 16 to 62 years, were measured in the vertical meridian using corrected Scheimpflug photography. The aspherical shape of the anterior Corneal surface was also determined in conjunction with the correction of Scheimpflug images.


RESULTS
The average radius of the anterior corneal surface was 7.87 +/- 0.27 mm (SD), while the average radius of the posterior corneal surface was 6.40 +/- 0.28 mm (SD). The ratio between the posterior and the anterior radius of curvature was 0.81 +/- 0.02. The asphericity of the anterior and the posterior corneal surfaces was 0.82 +/- 0.18 and 0.62 +/- 0.27, respectively. The asphericity of the posterior corneal surface decreased significantly with age. The posterior/anterior asphericity ratio is also dependent on age and was 0.98 +/- 0.17 at 16 years of age and 0.53 +/- 0.30 at 62 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Corrected Scheimpflug photography is an appropriate technique for measuring the radius and asphericity of the posterior corneal surface. The asphericity of the posterior corneal surface changes with age.
Dubbelman
Michiel
M
Department of Clinical Physics and Informatics, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Weeber
Henk A
HA
van der Heijde
Rob G L
RG
Völker-Dieben
Hennie J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*