Name of the Procedure:

Corneal Hysteresis Determination, by Air Impulse Stimulation, Unilateral or Bilateral, with Interpretation and Report

Summary

Corneal hysteresis determination is a diagnostic test that measures the biomechanical properties of the cornea using an air puff. The procedure is non-invasive and can be performed on one or both eyes. The results help eye care professionals understand the cornea's ability to absorb and dissipate energy.

Purpose

The procedure is primarily used to assess the health and integrity of the cornea. The expected outcomes include diagnosing and managing conditions such as glaucoma and keratoconus, and evaluating the cornea's response to eye diseases and surgical interventions.

Indications

• Symptoms like blurry vision, eye pain, or pressure changes
• Diagnosed or suspected glaucoma
• Pre-operative and post-operative assessments for corneal surgery
• Monitoring of corneal conditions such as keratoconus

Preparation

• No special preparation, fasting, or medication adjustments are typically necessary.
• Patients should remove contact lenses before the test.
• A routine eye exam may be done prior to the procedure.

Procedure Description

1. The patient is seated at the testing device.
2. The patient is instructed to focus on a fixation light while the device aligns with their eye.
3. A quick puff of air is delivered to the cornea.
4. The device captures and measures the cornea's response to the air puff.
5. This process is repeated for the other eye if required.

No anesthesia or sedation is needed for this non-invasive procedure.

Duration

The procedure typically takes about 5-10 minutes.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in an outpatient clinic or an eye care specialist's office.

Personnel

• Optometrist or ophthalmologist
• Trained technician to operate the device

Risks and Complications

• Minimal to no risks since the procedure is non-invasive
• Rarely, minor discomfort due to the air puff

Benefits

• Provides crucial information about corneal health
• Aids in early detection and management of glaucoma and other corneal diseases
• Helps in planning and assessing the outcomes of corneal surgeries
• Painless and quick with immediate results

Recovery

• No specific recovery time is needed.
• Patients can resume normal activities immediately.
• Follow-up appointments may be scheduled based on results.

Alternatives

• Tonometry: Another method of measuring intraocular pressure, but it does not provide biomechanical information.
• Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness but not its biomechanical properties.

Patient Experience

• The test is quick and only involves brief moments of mild discomfort from the air puff.
• No pain management or special comfort measures are necessary.