Your glasses prescription tells us how much vision correction you need, but it does not reveal the full structure of your cornea. The MS-39 provides detailed measurements of this clear front surface of the eye, helping your surgeon assess suitability and plan treatment around your individual anatomy. By combining corneal surface mapping with high-resolution OCT scans, the MS-39 shows the cornea in cross-section and measures its shape, thickness and individual layers. This includes the epithelium, the thin outer layer that can sometimes disguise irregularities in the tissue beneath it. These details matter when considering laser eye surgery. They help identify unusual corneal patterns, support screening for conditions such as keratoconus and inform decisions about whether laser treatment is appropriate. Scans can also help assess the cornea after surgery.
For patients, the value is a more informed treatment recommendation. Used alongside other tests and your surgeon’s assessment, the MS-39 helps build a clearer picture of your eyes before any decision to proceed.
What Happens During The Scan?
During your MS-39 scan, you sit in front of the machine with your chin on a support and your forehead resting gently against a bar. You will be asked to look at a fixation target and keep your eye open briefly while the instrument takes its measurements. The scan is non-contact, so nothing touches the surface of your eye.
The result is a series of detailed maps and cross-sectional images showing the shape, thickness and layers of your cornea. These help the clinical team identify areas that need closer attention and understand whether your cornea appears suitable for laser vision correction.
This gives your surgeon an important part of the overall picture before the findings are combined with other assessments. Further tests check aspects such as your prescription, eye pressure and wider eye health. The order of the machines may vary, but each contributes different information towards a personalised treatment recommendation.