Corneal Pachymetry Is Done For Measuring the Thickness of the Cornea before Surgeries Such As Refractive Surgery, LRI, and Cataract
Corneal
pachymetry is done all over the world, especially in regions such as the U.S.,
and U.K. Corneal pachymetry is an abnormal change in the appearance of the
corneal tissue. This can be observed through the examination of a patient's
eyes at all angles with corneal pachymetry. Corneal pachymetry, as a word is
defined by Webster as "a thickening of the corneal tissue, particularly as
the result of excessive growth or as the result of inflammation". Corneal
pachymetry can cause severe visual impairment and even blindness. Therefore the
proper diagnosis of this condition should be made as early as possible.
In
regions such as the United States, the prevalence of corneal dystrophies has
increased the requirements for corneal
pachymetry. For instance, according to the U.S. National Institutes of
Health (NIH), around 278,000 individuals in the U.S. suffer from corneal dystrophies. Ultrasonic ophthalmoscope, computer-assisted
tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laser-beam eye
surgery are the different techniques for diagnosing corneal pachymetry. To
assess the extent of corneal pachymetry, it is essential to use a combination
of these techniques. The most common procedures for measuring corneal
pachymetry are:
Computer
Assisted Tomography (CT) - this is the procedure of applying ultrasound waves
to examine the corneal thickness. These waves generate an image of the corneal
surface as they pass over it. Blood flow is found to be normal when there is
normal intraocular pressure. Thus the measurements of corneal pachymetry can be
used for determining the pressure of blood in the eye.
Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) - this method of examining corneal pachymetry uses the
variation in magnetic fields around the corneal surface to generate images of
corneal thickness. There are many types of MRI available and the one that uses
magnetic resonance is called computerized tomography. This technique is used to
examine the corneal thickness as well as other eye issues such as glaucoma.
This technique is used in many other eye conditions apart from that of
pachymetry. Due to the amazing power of MRI, it has become an extremely
efficient medical diagnostic tool.
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