Definition

Noun: - An examination of the cornea using a keratoscope to detect irregularities in its anterior (front) surface. This is a diagnostic procedure in ophthalmology to assess the shape and curvature of the cornea.

Usage

• Keratoscopy is a specific type of eye examination.
• It is typically performed by an eye care professional.
• The procedure is used to diagnose conditions related to corneal shape, such as astigmatism or keratoconus.

Examples

• The optometrist performed a keratoscopy to get a detailed map of the patient's corneal curvature.
• Keratoscopy revealed significant irregular astigmatism, which explained the patient's blurred vision.
• Advances in technology have made computerized keratoscopy a standard tool in pre-operative planning for laser eye surgery.

Advanced Usage

• Videokeratoscopy: A more advanced form of keratoscopy that uses a video camera to capture and digitize the image of the corneal surface, allowing for precise computer analysis.
  • The clinic uses videokeratoscopy for all its corneal topography assessments.

Variants and Related Words

• Keratoscope (noun): The instrument used to perform keratoscopy. It projects a pattern of concentric rings (Placido's disk) onto the cornea.
• Keratometric (adjective): Relating to the measurement of the cornea's curvature. Keratoscopy is one method of obtaining keratometric readings.
• Corneal Topography: A broader, more modern term often used synonymously with computerized keratoscopy, as it produces a detailed three-dimensional map of the corneal surface.

Synonyms

• Corneal topography (in modern clinical usage, though topography is a more comprehensive result of the examination).
• Corneal mapping.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

• Ophthalmoscopy: Examination of the interior of the eye.
• Retinoscopy: A technique to determine the refractive error of the eye.
• Slit-lamp examination: A common procedure that allows a magnified view of the eye structures, which may be used in conjunction with keratoscopy.

Noun

1. examination of the cornea with a keratoscope to detect irregularities in its anterior surface