pachymetry is the measurement of corneal thickness. It is most commonly used in eye clinics to evaluate the cornea and to help interpret eye pressure readings. It can be performed with contact (ultrasound) or non-contact (optical) devices. The results are usually reported as a thickness value and, in some systems, a thickness map.
intraocular pressure (IOP) is the pressure created by fluid inside the eye. It is measured during routine eye exams and many urgent eye evaluations. It is most commonly discussed in glaucoma care, but it also matters in other eye conditions. It is one piece of information that clinicians interpret alongside the optic nerve exam and other tests.
non-contact tonometry is a method of measuring eye pressure without touching the eye. It is often called an “air-puff test” because it uses a brief puff of air. It is commonly used in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye exams. It helps clinicians estimate intraocular pressure, which is one factor in glaucoma care.
iCare tonometry is a method for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), the fluid pressure inside the eye. It uses a small, lightweight probe that briefly touches the cornea to estimate eye pressure. It is commonly used in eye clinics, emergency settings, and pediatric exams. Some iCare tonometry devices are also designed for supervised home monitoring in selected patients.
Goldmann applanation tonometry is a clinical test that measures intraocular pressure (IOP), the fluid pressure inside the eye. It works by gently flattening a small area of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It is most commonly performed at a slit lamp in an optometry or ophthalmology clinic. It is widely used when evaluating glaucoma risk and monitoring known glaucoma.
tonometry is a test that measures pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). It is commonly performed during routine eye exams in optometry and ophthalmology clinics. The measurement helps clinicians assess risk and monitor diseases that affect the optic nerve. Results are available immediately, and the test is often repeated over time.
The van Herick test is a quick slit-lamp screening method used to estimate how “open” the drainage angle of the eye may be. It compares the depth of the peripheral anterior chamber (the fluid-filled space near the cornea) to the thickness of the cornea. It is commonly used in optometry and ophthalmology exams, especially when assessing risk for narrow angles and angle-closure glaucoma. It does not diagnose glaucoma by itself, but it can help decide if further testing is needed.
Shaffer grading is a clinical scale used to describe how open or narrow the eye’s drainage angle is. It is most commonly recorded during gonioscopy, an exam where a clinician views the angle using a special contact lens and microscope. The grading helps summarize a key glaucoma-related finding in a standardized way. In plain terms, it estimates how much “space” exists where eye fluid drains.
gonioscopy is an eye exam technique used to look at the drainage angle inside the front of the eye. It helps clinicians assess how fluid exits the eye and whether the angle is open, narrow, or blocked. It is commonly used in glaucoma evaluation and in patients at risk for angle-closure. It is performed in ophthalmology and optometry clinics, typically at a slit lamp.
scleral depression is a clinical technique used during an eye exam to better see the far edges of the retina. A clinician gently presses on the outside of the eye (through the eyelid or conjunctiva) while looking inside with special viewing tools. It is most commonly used with a dilated exam to evaluate the peripheral retina for tears, holes, or detachment. It can be done in clinic and also during some retinal surgeries.
indirect ophthalmoscopy is an eye examination technique used to view the inside back portion of the eye, especially the retina. It uses a bright light and a handheld lens to create a wide view of retinal tissue. It is commonly used by ophthalmologists and optometrists in clinics, emergency settings, and during surgical care. It helps clinicians evaluate conditions that can affect vision and overall eye health.
direct ophthalmoscopy is an eye examination method that lets a clinician look at the back of the eye through the pupil. It uses a handheld instrument called a direct ophthalmoscope with a light and focusing lenses. It is commonly used in eye clinics, primary care, emergency settings, and bedside examinations. It provides an immediate, magnified view of key retinal structures.
ophthalmoscopy is an eye examination method used to look at the inside of the eye through the pupil. It helps clinicians assess the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels at the back of the eye. It is commonly used in routine eye exams and in urgent evaluations of vision symptoms. It is a diagnostic exam, not a treatment.
fundoscopy is an eye examination that lets a clinician view the inside back surface of the eye. It is used to assess the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. It is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics, and sometimes in general medical settings. It helps connect eye symptoms and systemic health conditions to visible changes in the eye.
A dilated fundus examination (DFE) is an eye exam that uses pupil-dilating drops so the clinician can see more of the inside of the eye. It focuses on the “fundus,” meaning the retina, optic nerve head, and retinal blood vessels at the back of the eye. DFE is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye health checks and when symptoms suggest retinal or optic nerve disease. It is a diagnostic examination, not a treatment.
A lens exam is the part of an eye evaluation that focuses on the eye’s internal lens (the crystalline lens) and, when present, an intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract surgery. It checks whether the lens is clear, centered, and functioning normally. It is commonly performed by optometrists and ophthalmologists during routine eye exams and cataract evaluations. It is also used when symptoms suggest lens changes, such as glare, halos, or blurred vision.
An anterior chamber exam is an eye evaluation focused on the fluid-filled space between the cornea and the iris. It helps clinicians assess the front part of the eye for inflammation, bleeding, and angle-related glaucoma risk. It is commonly performed during a routine eye exam, urgent visits for red or painful eyes, and pre‑operative assessments. It is usually done with a slit lamp microscope and may be paired with additional tests when needed.
A corneal exam is an assessment of the cornea, the clear front “window” of the eye. It checks corneal clarity, shape, surface integrity, and overall health. It is commonly performed in optometry and ophthalmology clinics during routine eye exams and urgent visits. It helps clinicians evaluate symptoms such as pain, redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.
A conjunctival exam is an assessment of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue covering the white of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelids. It is commonly performed during routine eye exams and urgent visits for red eye, irritation, discharge, or injury. Clinicians use it to look for inflammation, infection, dryness, allergy changes, and surface damage. It is typically done with a light source and often with a slit-lamp microscope in eye clinics.
An eyelid exam is a clinical assessment of the eyelids and nearby structures around the eye. It looks at how the lids are built, how they move, and how the lid margins interact with the tear film and cornea. It is commonly included in routine eye exams and in visits for red eye, irritation, eyelid swelling, or eyelid droop. It is also used before and after many eye surgeries and contact lens fittings.