Ocular biometry involves a series of precise and objective measurements of the physical dimensions of the eyeball. The test is performed using advanced optical devices or ultrasound (A-scan) and is painless.
Why is Biometry relevant to Glaucoma?
While biometry is best known as the preparatory test before cataract surgery, it provides critical data for diagnosing the type of glaucoma. Eyes that are shorter than average are at a significantly higher risk of developing angle-closure glaucoma due to the crowding of structures in the anterior part of the eye. In addition, measuring the depth of the anterior chamber and lens thickness helps us understand the mechanism of angle closure.
Planning Combined Surgeries
For glaucoma patients who also have cataracts, precise biometry allows for the planning of a combined surgery—removing the cataract (which often lowers intraocular pressure on its own) alongside a MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) procedure, while selecting the optimal intraocular lens for the patient.