Corneal Drawings: An Important Tool in Documentation

Abstract

Schematic diagrams have been an important tool in ophthalmology for a long time. Corneal drawings help record and monitor corneal pathologies. These aid in comparing the clinical course of disease on follow-up visits and act as standardised means of communication between Ophthalmologists globally. They are essential for teaching postgraduates and are also useful in medicolegal cases. The corneal pathologies are documented in both frontal view and cross-sectional (slit) view. There is a universally accepted set of six colour codes for portraying them, namely, red, blue, black, brown, green and yellow. This method of documentation is economical, easy and gives an instant impression at a glance. This article primarily focuses on the origin, evolution, and standardised colour coding and depiction of corneal pathologies, presented as schematic diagrams that can serve as a reference for all Ophthalmologists in their routine clinical practice.