Comparing keratometry readings with manual separation of lids and wire speculum in children under general anesthesia

Purpose: Keratometry (K) readings are crucial for intraocular lens power calculation in cataract surgery. In children who do not cooperate, the keratometry is done under general anesthesia with a handheld autokeratometer. However, there is little consensus regarding the method for the measurement of K readings. The lids can be separated either by fingers or a wire speculum may be placed to separate the lids for measurement. Methods: The children selected for the study were patients cooperative for keratometry reading. Nidek KM-500 handheld keratometer was used first in the awake period. Then under general anesthesia, readings were taken first by separating the lids manually with fingers and then after putting a wire speculum in both the eyes. Results: The average keratometry reading for participants in the OPD, anesthetized with lids manually opened and with lids separated with speculum was 44.7 +/- 1.7 D, 44.4 +/- 1.9 D, and 44.7 +/- 1.7 D, respectively. Conclusion: No significant change was observed in keratometry values in children with manual separation of eyelids or with wire speculum.