Biometry is the method of using mathematical formulas to determine the refractive power of the eye. The refractive power of the human eye depends on the cornea, the lens, the ocular media and the axial length of the eye. It is extremely important to know the exact measurements of different structures as well as the inter structure distances as these measurements of the eye are essential when planning for cataract surgery. This biometry and specially accurate biometry with using formulas that employ artificial intelligence allow eye surgeons to pick the absolute best possible lens for an individual patient that may need to be implanted after cataract surgery.
There are multiple calculations or equations that can be used to derive the power of an artificial or intraocular lens that should be used in a particular patient but all these the equations are dependent on getting accurate parameters that are entered into the equations. This is possible using modern optical rather than ultrasound based biometers. At The Eye Center we use the Haag Streit Lenstar LS 900 which allows us to make calculations in conditions such as pseudophakia, in the paediatric age group, after posterior segment or retinal surgery as well as after refractive surgery such as LASIK. Lenstar 900 is world recognised in the performance of highly accurate biometry.
Corneal pachymetry
Corneal pachymetry is the ability to measure the thickness of the human cornea. A pachymeter is a medical device used to measure the thickness of the cornea in the human eye. This is an essential piece of information required for many different kinds of surgical procedures but particularly so for procedures such as LASIK or other refractive surgical procedures. It is also used in the planning of cataract surgery as well as other anterior segment operations.
Pachymetry also allows us to determine an important risk factor in the development of glaucoma.