Corneal pachymetry

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Corneal pachymetry is a measurement of the thickness of the cornea using ultrasound[1]. The test is particularly essential prior to a LASIK procedure for ensuring sufficiency of corneal thickness to prevent abnormal bulging out of the cornea--ectasia. The instrument used for the purpose is known as a pachymeter.

Corneal pachymetry is also considered an important test in the early detection of glaucoma. In 2002, the five-year report of the Ocular Hypertension Study (OHTS) was released. The study found that corneal thickness as measured by corneal pachymetry was an accurate predictor of glaucoma development when combined with standard measurements of intraocular pressure. As a result of this study and others that followed, corneal pachymetry is now widely used by both glaucoma researchers and glaucoma specialists to better diagnose and detect early cases.