What measurement does the cornea yield in terms of diopters?

The cornea contributes significantly to the eye's overall refractive power, primarily due to its curvature and the difference in refractive indices between air and the corneal stroma. The approximate dioptric power of the human cornea is generally accepted to be around 43 diopters. This value can vary slightly among individuals based on the shape and steepness of the cornea.

The corneal power is crucial because it plays a major role in focusing light onto the retina, which is essential for clear vision. Understanding this measurement is vital for optometric technicians, as it informs assessments related to vision correction and surgical interventions, such as LASIK. Recognizing the average power of the cornea aids in predicting how refractive errors might be corrected by glasses or contact lenses, or how surgical procedures might reshape the cornea to achieve the desired visual outcomes.