Have you ever had your eyes checked by a doctor and they told you to measure the thickness of your cornea? You may have also been told to do a 'Pachymetry Test'. Many people feel a little strange when they hear this name, thinking that it's a big test or that it's going to hurt. So today, let's talk about what this Pachymetry Test is, why it's done, and whether you should be afraid of it.
Simply put, what is this Pachymetry Test?
Simply put, a Pachymetry Test is a test that measures the thickness of your cornea. Now you may be wondering, "What is this cornea?"
The cornea is a thin, completely transparent, watch-like membrane at the front of our eye. It has two main functions:
1. It helps us see clearly by focusing the light that enters the eye.
2. Protecting the eyes from dust and germs.
So, this Pachymetry Test measures the thickness of the cornea in micrometers. This gives the doctor very important information about the health of the eye. Sometimes this test is done in conjunction with a test called `Corneal Topography`, which creates a map of the surface of the cornea.
In what situations is this test performed?
A doctor may order this test for several reasons. The most common are:
- Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment: Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure inside the eye (Intraocular Pressure - IOP) increases and can damage the optic nerve. Doctors measure this pressure with a test called `Tonometry`. However, the thickness of the cornea plays a major role here.
- Before eyeglass removal surgery: Many people are now undergoing surgeries like `LASIK` to get rid of their glasses. This surgery involves changing the shape of the cornea using laser beams. So before undergoing this surgery, you need to know exactly whether your cornea is thick enough to withstand it. If the cornea is thin, complications like `(corneal ectasia)` may occur after the surgery. Therefore, this test is definitely done for safety.
- Other conditions related to the cornea: This test is also used to monitor conditions that affect the thickness of the cornea, such as `Keratoconus` (a cone-shaped protrusion of the cornea), `Fuchs' dystrophy`, and `corneal hydrops`.
- Eye injuries: This also helps to see if the cornea has been damaged or its thickness has changed in the event of an eye injury.
- Optical Pachymetry (a non-contact method) carries no risks.
- Ultrasonic Pachymetry (the method that touches the ear) carries very few risks. However, these are very rare occurrences.
- Infection (this is unlikely to happen because the equipment is well sterilized).
- Feeling a slight discomfort or irritation in the eye.
- Some allergy to numbing drops.
- Temporary damage to the cornea, such as a minor scratch, due to contact with the device.
- The Pachymetry Test is a very simple, painless, and quick test that measures the thickness of your cornea.
- This is essential to accurately diagnose glaucoma and ensure safety before surgeries such as LASIK.
- There are two testing methods: one does not touch the eye, and the other involves gently touching the eye with a small instrument after numbing it.
- The test results are just a number. Only your doctor can give you the best explanation for what they mean and the health of your eyes. So don't jump to conclusions about them alone.
- If you have any questions about your eye exam or this test, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
For example, if your cornea is thicker than normal, the pressure inside the eye may be higher than it actually is. Similarly, if the cornea is thinner , the pressure may be lower than it actually is. So it is very important for the doctor to know this thickness to determine whether or not you have glaucoma.
What are the methods for doing this test?
There are two main ways to take this test. Both are very quick and simple. You don't need to do anything special to prepare for this.
| Test method | How it happens |
|---|---|
| Optical Pachymetry | In this, no equipment touches your eye. All you have to do is sit in front of a machine and place your chin and forehead on a spot on it. The thickness is measured from the images taken by the machine. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is another such method. |
| Ultrasonic Pachymetry | In this procedure, first some numbing drops are put into your eye. So you won't feel anything. Then, the tip of a small, sterile pen-like instrument (pachymeter) is very gently placed on your cornea for a few seconds. The thickness is measured using ultrasound waves. |
A little reminder
If you know that you will be given numbing drops or dilating drops for your eye exam, it is safer to ride with someone else, as these drops may temporarily blur your vision.
Is there any risk in this?
This is a very safe test.
If you continue to have eye pain or blurred vision after this test, call your doctor immediately.
Let's find out about the test results.
The best thing about this test is that the results are available immediately. The doctor can talk to you about it right away.
The average central corneal thickness of a healthy eye is between 540 and 550 micrometers .
But remember, this is just an average value. It can vary depending on your age, race, and other health conditions. So don't worry if your value is a little outside this range. Your eyes may be completely healthy. Only your doctor can accurately interpret the result.
Based on the results, your doctor can decide how to treat your glaucoma or whether you are a good candidate for eye surgery.
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