Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Sequential Application of Glass Coverslips to Assess the Compressive Stiffness of the Mouse Lens: Strain and Morphometric Analyses
Published on: May 3, 2016
Changes in corneal curvature in accommodation
Akihiro Yasuda1, Tatsuo Yamaguchi, Kishiko Ohkoshi
1Department of Ophthalmology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. akiyasu@luke.or.jp
Purpose:
To determine the changes in corneal curvature in accommodation.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Methods:
Twenty-eight eyes of 14 healthy volunteers with a mean age of 38.9 years (range 28 to 65 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Corneal topographies were taken before and during accommodation. Subjects achieved maximal accommodation by gazing at a target letter "A" in front of the eye. Keratometric values (K-values) obtained by topographies before and during accommodation were compared.
Results:
Steepened corneal curvatures during accommodation were observed with the difference-plot view. Maximum K-values for the central 3.0 mm, 5.0 mm, and 7.0 mm corneal diameters significantly increased by a mean of 0.62 diopters (D) +/- 0.83 (SD) (P =.0005, paired t test), 0.60 +/- 0.90 D (P =.0015), and 0.72 +/- 0.65 D (P<.0001), respectively. Respective minimum K-values significantly increased by a mean of 0.62 +/- 0.83 D (P=.0005), 0.67 +/- 0.68 D (P<.0001), and 0.64 +/- 0.62 D (P<.0001). No statistically significant relationship was found between age and change in K-values.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that changes in corneal curvature in accommodation participate in the mechanism of accommodation.
Related Concept Videos
Glaucoma: Overview
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Focusing of Light in the Eye
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Influence of Earth's Curvature and Atmospheric Refraction on Leveling

