Purpose: The aim of this research was to develop a corneal topographer that determines the shape of the entire anterior surface of an eye without assumptions, and with uniformly high accuracy in the center and periphery.
Methods: Based upon a double projection of two sine wave gratings and analysis of the distortion of the sine wave gratings due to the corneal-scleral shape, point-by-point measurements of surface elevation were obtained with a sample density equal to the pixel density of the CCD-detector. Using this principle, a prototype topographer, called the Maastricht Shape Topographer (MST), was developed. The accuracy and reproducibility of the instrument were evaluated using bispheric models of the anterior surface of the eye.
Results: The average accuracy of height measurements was +/- 0.55 micron in the 10-mm central area and +/- 22.50 microns in the periphery (14 to 19 mm). Reconstruction accuracy of the radius of curvature was +/- 0.0155 mm (+/- 0.88 D) in the center and +/- 0.0313 mm in the periphery (sclera). Average height reproducibility standard error was 0.0282 micron in the center and 2.6156 microns in the periphery.
Conclusions: With the MST, unambiguous shape measurements of the entire anterior surface of the eye are possible, with accuracy up to clinically accepted standards. MST is able to measure height over a wide area of 20 mm, with a 6-mm depth of field. The tested prototype of the device can be further improved by the use of custom-made optics in order to increase signal to noise ratio in the periphery of the image. This height topographer could offer a reliable method in cases where shape is of paramount importance, e.g., in (scleral) contact lens fitting and refractive surgery.