Microresonator filters, which are realized by evanescent coupling of circular cavities with two parallel bus waveguides, are promising candidates for applications in dense wavelength-division multiplexing. Tunability of these filters is an essential feature for their successful deployment. In this paper, we present a framework for modeling of tuning of the microresonators by changes in their cavity core refractive index. Using a reciprocity theorem, a perturbational expression for changes in the cavity propagation constants due to slight modifications of the cavity core refractive index is derived. This expression permits us to analytically calculate shifts in the spectral response of the 2-D resonators. Comparisons of the resultant shifts and spectra with direct simulations based on a coupled mode theory show satisfactory agreement. © 2007 IEEE.