Corneal Topography and Tomography

Corneal Topography and Tomography

Corneal Topography and Tomography

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Corneal Contours - Intro to Imaging

  • Corneal Topography:
    • Analyzes anterior corneal surface curvature and shape.
    • Primarily uses Placido disc reflection principle.
    • Detects surface irregularities like astigmatism, keratoconus.
  • Corneal Tomography:
    • Provides comprehensive 3D corneal structure analysis.
    • Images anterior surface, posterior surface, and full corneal thickness (pachymetry).
    • Utilizes technologies like Scheimpflug imaging or Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

⭐ Tomography provides a 3D reconstruction (anterior, posterior, pachymetry), unlike topography (anterior surface only). oka

Imaging Arsenal - Gadgets & Glory

  • Corneal Topography: Maps anterior corneal curvature.
    • Methods: Placido disk (Keratoscopy, Videokeratoscopy).
    • Outputs: Axial, Tangential, Refractive power, Elevation maps.
    • Uses: Keratoconus screening, contact lens fitting.
  • Corneal Tomography: Comprehensive 3D corneal structure.
    • Slit-scanning (e.g., Orbscan): Anterior/posterior elevation, pachymetry. ⚠️ Post-LASIK pachymetry may be overestimated.
    • Scheimpflug imaging (e.g., Pentacam): Rotating camera; detailed anterior/posterior elevation, pachymetry.

      ⭐ Scheimpflug imaging (e.g., Pentacam) is crucial for assessing posterior corneal elevation and pachymetry, vital for ectasia risk assessment.

    • AS-OCT: High-resolution cross-sectional images, precise pachymetry. Pentacam Overview: Scheimpflug, 3D Shape, Pachymetry)

Map Mysteries - Decoding Displays

Interpreting corneal maps is key for refractive surgery planning and ectasia screening.

  • Axial Map: Overall power; astigmatism (WTR/ATR). Good for initial screening.
  • Tangential Map: True local curvature; precise cone localization.
  • Elevation Maps: Height vs Best Fit Sphere (BFS). Anterior/posterior float vital for ectasia risk.
  • Pachymetry Map: Displays corneal thickness. Identifies thinnest point.

📌 Color Code: Hot (reds): steep/elevated/thick. Cool (blues): flat/depressed/thin.

Corneal Topography and Tomography Report

⭐ Asymmetric bowtie with skewed radial axis (SRAX) and inferior steepening on axial maps are hallmarks of keratoconus.

Clinic Compass - Guiding Decisions

⭐ The Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia Display (BAD-D) is a critical index for early keratoconus detection, combining anterior, posterior, and pachymetric data.

  • Refractive Surgery Screening:
    • Detect ectasia risk: Kmax > 47.2 D, posterior float elevation, thin pachymetry (<500µm).
    • Identify forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC).
    • Guide procedure choice: LASIK, PRK, SMILE.
  • Keratoconus:
    • Early diagnosis: Asymmetry, skewed radial axes, BAD-D > 1.6.
    • Staging (e.g., Amsler-Krumeich) & monitoring progression for CXL.
  • Post-Op & Other:
    • Evaluate ablation centration/quality.
    • Detect post-surgical ectasia.
    • Accurate IOL power calculation (post-refractive).
    • Specialty contact lens fitting.

Keratoconus corneal topography maps

Index Insights - Quantifying Curves

  • SimK (Simulated Keratometry): Steep K, Flat K, Avg K, Astigmatism.
  • Pachymetry: Thinnest point (TP), Central Corneal Thickness (CCT). Crucial for ectasia risk.
  • Elevation Maps: Anterior & Posterior float vs. reference sphere; detects early keratoconus.
  • Key Indices:
    • Kmax: Max keratometry.
    • I-S value: Inferior-Superior asymmetry (Normal < 1.4 D).
    • SRAX: Skewed Radial Axes Index.

⭐ Posterior corneal elevation > +15 µm (8mm BFS) or thinnest pachymetry < 470 µm are key post-LASIK ectasia risks.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Placido disk for anterior curvature; Scheimpflug for 3D analysis (anterior/posterior, pachymetry).
  • Axial maps guide IOL power; Tangential maps excel at keratoconus detection.
  • Keratoconus indicators: asymmetric bowtie, inferior steepening, ↑Kmax, posterior elevation.
  • Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) is crucial; LASIK typically needs >500 µm.
  • Elevation maps compare cornea to Best Fit Sphere (BFS) or Toric Ellipsoid.
  • Belin/Ambrósio Display (BAD) integrates data for ectasia risk stratification.
  • Corneal biomechanics (e.g., Hysteresis) assessed by devices like ORA (Ocular Response Analyzer).

Practice Questions: Corneal Topography and Tomography

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is not a feature of keratoconus?

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Flashcards: Corneal Topography and Tomography

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Hyperopic photorefractive keratotomy is used for treatment of _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Hyperopic photorefractive keratotomy is used for treatment of _____

hypermetropia (hypermetropia/myopia)

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