title: [Decreased visual acuity in young patients; Javal's ophthalmometer is still contributing].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to recall the advantages of the Javal ophthalmometer in screening keratoconus.
  
  
  METHODS
  In three young patients with progressive visual loss, optic neuropathy was strongly suspected by their ophthalmologist despite a strictly normal neuro-ophthalmology record. The patients underwent an ophthalmic clinical examination at the Bordeaux University Hospital, which guided the paraclinical examination with corneal videotopography (Orbscan II(®), Bausch and Lomb) and the biomechanical properties of the cornea with the ocular response analyzer (ORA(®), Reichert).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual acuity improved in all patients on the pinhole visual acuity test. The videotopography concluded in keratoconus in all three patients. The biomechanical parameters were abnormal. The patients were equipped successfully with hard contact lenses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the latest technologies including videotopography and ORA(®), examination of the cornea with the Javal ophthalmometer remains a landmark of the eye examination and can assist in screening some keratoconus conditions and avoiding diagnostic uncertainties as well as inappropriate and expensive paraclinical examinations.
authors.affiliation: Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Pellegrin, place Amélie-Rabat-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux, France. xavkouassi@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: F-X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Kouassi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Touboul
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mesplié
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinsard
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology