[Pressure-induced change in corneal curvature in patients with refractive surgery and unoperated probands]

Helmholtz suspected there was a connection between intraocuclar pressure and lateration of corneal curvature. With a view to potential changes in corneal stability following different refractive procedures, we tried to demonstrate these side effects by increasing the intraocular pressure. A tilting-table was used to induce a rapid pressure increase via the fluid shift. Corneal curvature was measured by photokeratoscopy before and after pressure changes. The results were different in corneas subjected to radial and photorefractive keratotomy than in intact corneas. We suggest a physical model that might provide an explanation.