Egera Keratome

Jäger's keratome: history and application

The Jäger keratome is an instrument used in ophthalmology to measure visual acuity. It was developed by Austrian ophthalmologist Ferdinand Jaeger in the 19th century and is still widely used in medical practice.

Jäger's keratome consists of a series of round holes of different sizes located on a metal disk. When measuring visual acuity, the patient is asked to look at a table with letters or symbols located at a certain distance. The doctor holds the Jäger keratome in front of the patient's eye and alternately closes the holes to check which letters or symbols the patient can and cannot see. The patient's visual acuity is then determined based on which letters or symbols they were able to read.

Jäger's keratome can also be used to measure pupil size and to determine the refractive index of the cornea of ​​the eye. It can be useful in diagnosing various eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Although the Jäger keratome was created more than two hundred years ago, it is still one of the most common and reliable tools for measuring visual acuity. It is easy to use, does not require special training and can be used in any medical facility.

In conclusion, the Jäger keratome is an important tool for ophthalmologists to quickly and accurately measure the visual acuity of patients. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness, it remains an indispensable tool in ophthalmic practice.