Computer-assisted corneal topography in keratoconus

Using a computer-assisted video-keratoscope, we determined the topographic findings of 14 eyes of 10 patients with keratoconus. None of these patients had worn contact lenses for at least one year prior to examination and were thus free of contact lens-induced topographical alterations. Two patterns commonly seen included inferior steepening more prominent temporally, and central steepening with a superimposed asymmetric bowtie pattern. When compared with normal eyes three quantitative parameters were significantly different (p less than 0.001): central corneal power, difference in corneal power between fellow eyes in the same patients, and steepening of the inferior cornea compared with the superior cornea. Study of the topography in keratoconus using this technique may prove useful for documenting the pattern of involvement of the anterior corneal surface and providing new insights into the pathogenesis of this condition.