Repeatability of the hand-held Nidek auto-keratometer in children.

Measurement of the anterior corneal radius of curvature is important in the pediatric population for proper fitting of contact lenses, calculation of intraocular lens power in patients undergoing cataract surgery, and monitoring changes in shape of the cornea in keratoconus. Because astigmatism in preschool children is mainly the result of corneal asphericity, measurement of the anterior corneal radius of curvature may also be used in screening in children at risk for amblyopia. The aim of this study was to determine the repeatability of the hand-held automated Nidek keratometer (Nidek Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) and its ease of use in children.