Pachymetry

We have added the latest in Glaucoma procedures. As part of a glaucoma evaluation, we have found it necessary to measure the corneal thickness of each patient, one time. It has been well documented that corneal thickness varies among individuals. This variation will influence some of our results. Standard instrumentation for measuring eye pressure is based on an average corneal thickness. Therefore, patients with a thicker than normal cornea will manifest a higher than normal pressure. Likewise, a thinner cornea suggests a lower eye pressure. As a result, it is imperative to know corneal thickness prior to adequately treating our glaucoma patients. This procedure is known as pachymetry. I have enclosed a few articles indicating the validity of this procedure. Please call if you have any questions.

• This patient has thicker than normal corneas, hence at a lower glaucomatous risk. We will need to see this patient less often.
• This patient has thinner than normal corneas, hence at a higher glaucomatous risk. It is important for us to see this patient on a more frequent basis.
• This patient’s cornea has an average thickness. We will continue seeing this patient on a standard basis.