glossary

keratoscope (Placido's disc)

Definition keratoscope (Placido's disc)

keratoscope (Placido's disc)

keratoscope (Placido's disc) n. an instrument for detecting abnormal curvature of the cornea. It consists of a black disc, about 20 cm in diameter, marked with concentric white rings. The examiner looks through a small lens in the centre at the reflection of the rings in the patient's cornea. A normal cornea will reflect regular concentric images of the rings; a cornea that is abnormally shaped (for example in *keratoconus) or scarred reflects distorted rings.