What is corneal pachymetry?
This is the measurement of corneal thickness – usually the central corneal thickness (CCT).

Why is pachymetry performed?
There are several reasons for doing this test:

  • to help calibrate intraocular pressure readings (or, as some would put it, to stratify risk of glaucoma)
  • to monitor corneal endothelial dysfunction (eg in Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy)
  • prior to surgery involving corneal relaxing incisions (usually peripheral corneal thickness is measured for this reason)

How is pachymetry performed?
There are a variety of different machines that are capable of measuring corneal thickness, including:

  • ultrasound probes
  • anterior segment OCT
  • corneal topographers including Scheimpflug devices