The method which is used to measure the thickness of the cornea is called Pachymetry. To perform this procedure a medical device called Pachymeter. Both the optical and ultrasonic methods apply to conduct this process. There are many uses of pachymetry in the field of ophthalmology.
It is an indispensable process in determining if laser eye surgery can be carried out safely on a patient or not. In any refractive laser surgery, corneal tissue must be removed. With the help of Pachymeter it becomes easy to decide whether there is sufficient corneal tissue available for a competent LASIK procedure. The adequate thickness of the cornea serves to prevent risks of abnormal corneal bulging, which can be faced by the patients as the side effect of laser eye surgery known as ectasia.
Pachymetry is a vital method in identifying early signs of glaucoma and also helps in treating the same. The method aims at measuring the corneal thickness in cases that can affect the intraocular pressure. The analysis is done by using a pachymeter. The course of operation is determined by the test results, which generally aims at reducing the intraocular pressure. But it is advisable to have regular eye tests and follow the required treatments to slow down the complete loss of vision.
It is also one of the techniques for identifying Keratoconus, an ailment that results in thinning of the cornea. Keratoconus is often identified before refractive laser surgeries when it is used for a pre-screening to estimate the cornea thickness. If a patient lacks the adequate depth of cornea the LASIK procedures cannot be carried out on a patient.
Pachymetry is an important method used by surgeons to check patients using constant wear contact lenses for any falsifications or steepening of the cornea.
Modern methods of pachymeters use ultrasound technology to carry out the process. The ultrasound surgery includes giving numbing drops into the eye accompanied by a quick application of the pachymeter. The test results came instantly. The size of ultrasound pachymeters is substantially similar to a laptop that we use in our daily life, and hence are extremely compact, allowing them to be easily brought near the patient rather than bringing the patient near the machine, whenever needed.
Although both the optical and ultrasonic pachymetry is just two diverse ways of performing the same process, it is essential to know the primary difference between the two. In comparison to optical pachymetry, one of the notable differences between the two methods pachymetry is that ultrasound pachymeter requires to touch the cornea to obtain test results, thereby performing minor squeezing of the tissue in some cases, and giving a lighter reading if compared to an optical method. Again, ultrasound pachymeters are more compact and provide the results more promptly if compared to the optical device. Though the results obtained by from any of the method is correct and reliable to proceed ahead.
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