Pachymeter is a type of ophthalmic equipment that ophthalmologists or optometrists use to measure corneal thickness. Pachymetry is especially helpful to eye surgeons prior to ocular surgery using the ophthalmic surgical microscope, since it is important for them to see the cornea and the exact location in the eye where the adjustments should be made before they properly continue with the surgical operation. Other eye diseases that could be diagnosed using ophthalmic equipment like the pachymeter are glaucoma and even keratoconus, both of which could result to serious visual impairment if not detected and treated early.
Former types of pachymeter equipment used optical principles in measuring the thickness of the cornea. But much has been done to improve the technology behind the pachymeter and contemporary models of this ophthalmic equipment now use the same principles as that of ultrasound with the results appearing in numerical form and analyzed by the ophthalmologist. The latest types of pachymeter instruments now use a procedure concerning Corneal Waveform (CWF). This echogram of the cornea can even be superimposed over another waveform in order for the ophthalmologist to compare the progression of any kind of refractive error or disease and how it reacts to treatment. The technique is similar to a computerized corneal topography, which results in a detailed map of the corneal surface and its curvatures.
CWF is a more accurate measurement of corneal thickness, which is quite important in diagnosing glaucoma. Called the ‘sneak thief of sight’, glaucoma is the third leading reason for blindness all over the world. This eye disease results from damage to optic nerves due to high pressure in the eye balls, which can later progress into actual loss of vision. Because there are no symptoms, this eye disease is normally detected by using an ophthalmic equipment called the tonometer, which can measure intraocular pressure (IOP) to test for a person’s risk for glaucoma. Pachymetry is now also used by ophthalmologists to diagnose glaucoma. There is no cure for glaucoma as of yet, but an early diagnosis of this disease leads to early management and treatment so that blindness can be averted. There are also medications available to lower IOP.
Another eye disease that can be detected using a pachymeter ophthalmic instrument is keratoconus, which is usually mistaken for a severe form of astigmatism. But when astigmatism is a common refractive error where the cornea changes shape from the original circular to a sort of football or doughnut shape that results to a scattering of light rays entering the eyes, keratoconus is a thinning of the corneal stroma that results to a conical shape in the eyes. A person with astigmatism may not be able to see fine details in an object whether close or far away, and a person suffering from keratoconus might not be able to read printed type or see clearly enough to drive a car. Both conditions can be treated by the ophthalmologist or optician using contact lenses or ocular surgery using the ophthalmic operating microscope.
While the success rates of ocular or eye surgeries using the ophthalmic operating microscope are resulting to the popularity of such refractive corrective measures like Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), it is still important for a person to have regular eye examinations to be assured of good eyesight. People with high risks for glaucoma or keratoconus might need to have examinations like pachymetry done regularly to watch out for any kind of indication of contracting the disease. Medical science of ophthalmology has advanced significantly in recent years due to the advent and improvement of a variety of new ophthalmic equipment. This gives patients and ophthomologist doctors hope for curing and restraining eye ocular diseases by use of these ophthalmic instruments.
