INDIANAPOLIS REHAB HOSPITAL

How Do Doctors in Indianapolis Rehab Hospital Test For Corneal Abrasion?

The most common tests for the treatment of dry eye are the refraction tests, or the Amsler grid, and the cochlea biopsy. These tests are performed by putting the patient under a special light that will shine onto the patient's eye in order to determine the extent of dry eye and to find out if additional glasses or contacts may be necessary. In addition to these tests, the doctor will look closely at the cornea with the aid of a magnifier in order to check for abnormalities. A doctor will rarely perform an ocular examination without performing one of these tests.

Because the cornea is transparent, doctors are able to perform these tests with minimal discomfort to the patient, though it does cause some slight blurring. To begin the tests, the doctor will place the patient under a surgical laser called an excimer laser. This will allow the surgeon to cut a small flap in the cornea so that he or she can see the stream, which consists of the top layer of the cornea. A thin transparent bandage will then be applied to cover the flap.

Once the tests have been completed, the doctor will put a small amount of a solution onto the thin bandage. Then, using a device that measures microsettles, the doctor will move the solution across the area of the eye. This will allow him or her to determine if the area has microsettles. If so, this indicates that the eye has been misted or scratched. However, if the area does not have microsettles, this means that no damage has occurred and that the patient has no corneal abrasion or multiple trauma.