Corneal Mapping

We have been drawing maps of our town and our world for many years. 

Now we can draw maps of our cornea!!! Fascinating isn't it!

How is it done? What is there in a cornea to map?

Cornea has areas which differ in their refractive powers. Refractive power is the ability of the surface to direct the rays of light on the retina, so as to form a clear image. Some areas are "steep", some are "flat". Steep area is like a hill in your town-map. It indicates more converging power. Flatness corresponds to less refractive power. Its like a plain in your local map. The central area of the cornea has more refractive power than the periphery. This area is most important for formation of clear image. 

This is mapped with  a machine called as a "Corneal Topographer". Just like "Topography" of an area, mapping its hills and plains!

How does it help anyone?

LASER correction is done after mapping the cornea.

Corneal Mapping helps in detecting Keratoconus.

This is how a "corneal map" looks.