Purpose: To compare the values for corneal power determined by the axial, instantaneous and refractive formulas when imaging normal human corneas using computerized videokeratography.
Setting: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Methods: This prospective clinical trial involved 60 corneas of 30 normal volunteers. Computerized videokeratography was performed to determine corneal power at the center and the 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm zones using the 3 formulas.
Results: Mean central corneal power was 42.86 diopters (D) with each of the formulas. The mean corneal powers for the axial, instantaneous, and refractive formulas were 43.09, 43.21, and 42.98 D at the 1 mm zone; 43.10, 42.92, and 43.46 D at the 3 mm zone; 42.75, 41.63, and 44.02 at the 5 mm zone; 42.21, 40.30, and 44.79 D at the 7 mm zone, respectively. The differences among powers for the 3 formulas at the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones were statistically significant (P < .01).
Conclusion: In normal corneas, clinically significant differences exist in the corneal power values calculated by the axial, instantaneous, and refractive formulas.