Which Purkinje image is created by the anterior cornea?

The Purkinje images are reflections of objects viewed through a transparent medium, such as the eye, and are used to assess various optical properties of the eye. They are categorized into four primary images based on the surfaces they reflect from.

The first Purkinje image, known as PS 1, is created by the anterior surface of the cornea. This image is the closest to the eye and is typically inverted when viewed. It is a direct result of how light reflects off the corneal surface, which acts as a concave mirror for incoming light rays. This image is critical in clinical settings for various assessments, including measuring the eye's optical qualities and calibrating instruments.

The other Purkinje images correspond to different surfaces within the eye: PS 2 is created by the posterior surface of the cornea, PS 3 originates from the anterior surface of the lens, and PS 4 comes from the posterior surface of the lens. Therefore, understanding that PS 1 specifically represents the anterior corneal reflection is fundamental for recognizing how this image relates to ocular measurements and assessments.