Corneal topography.

The heightened interest in refractive corneal surgery has resulted in the increased utility of videokeratography in clinical practice. During this past year, studies have provided new information about the accuracy, reproducibility, limitations, and comparative strengths and weaknesses of different topographic devices. Videokeratography studies have yielded new information about the effects of surgical procedures such as excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, radial keratotomy, penetrating keratoplasty, trabeculectomy, and strabismus surgery on the shape of the cornea. The use of these devices in fitting patients with keratoconus and patients who have had radial keratotomy with contact lenses is illustrated and subtle topographic abnormalities induced by rigid and soft contact lenses are reported. The early detection of keratoconus with videokeratography has provided new insights into the genetics of this disorder. Computer-assisted topographic devices are rapidly gaining acceptance as screening tools for the detection of early keratoconus in candidates for myopic refractive surgery.