Demonstration of feasibility of application of a portable keratometer to cadaveric donor corneas

An automated portable keratometer was used to measure corneal curvatures of cadaveric donor corneas. Globe contours were maintained despite unrecordable intraocular pressures, and reproducible keratometric values were consistently obtainable. Evaluation of nondonor eyes, at varying intraocular pressures (IOPs) ranging from 0 to 66 mm Hg (Schiotz), yielded keratometric readings that were not significantly different at different IOPs. Early correlation of keratometric values in five grafted eyes showed a trend of ± 0.5 D from measured cadaveric donor keratometry values when compared with that of the donor sutured into the recipient bed. The study suggests the feasibility of incorporating cadaveric donor keratometry readings in the prediction of final donor keratometric values in the recipient bed, thus allowing more accurate selection of intraocular lens powers for triple procedures and the avoidance of transplanting corneas with unusual or abnormal corneal curvatures.