Which statement about corneal topography is true?

• A. It measures intraocular pressure.
• B. It assesses lens curvature.
• C. It maps the curvature of the corneal surface.
• D. It tests color vision.

Answer: (C)

Corneal topography maps the curvature of the corneal surface. By analyzing how light reflects off the cornea or how the cornea refracts light, it creates a color-coded map that shows where the surface is steeper or flatter. This is essential for spotting irregular astigmatism, identifying conditions like keratoconus, guiding contact lens fitting, and planning refractive surgery. It doesn’t measure intraocular pressure (that’s tonometry), it doesn’t assess the curvature of a lens itself (which isn’t the cornea), and it isn’t a test of color vision. The true value is in visually representing the cornea’s shape across its entire surface, not just isolated measurements.